I definitely think you and I are on exactly the same page, which isn't surprising given we are same age. My Dad used to say, and my late grandmother, they'd get a fright seeing themselves in the mirror - who was that old person??
I think we should take solace in fact that even if, say, we died at 75, twenty years is a good chunk of life we can enjoy. Like Hardy in this poem, I think I'm far more observant about the beautiful things in the world, and, as you say, I'm a bit more patient with those I love.
During the pandemic I was a little obsessed with the goddess Kali - she taught me a lot about death and time. I'm fascinated by poetry and philosophy about death, not in an obsessive and morbid way, but I do find myself doing little thought dives, and that's probably good for me, as it may make my passing a little more gentle.
Dylan Thomas said we should rage against the coming night, but he was a man (no offense) and I rather think a quiet acceptance, whilst living well, is a better way to go.
Here's one little poem I wrote re Kali in the pandemic
https://peakd.com/poetry/@riverflows/sing-kali-devotional
And the other about accepting becoming older (not that I'm not exactly raging about it)
https://peakd.com/hive-138388/@riverflows/tea-with-the-crones
It definitely sounds like we're on the same page! I remember my Aunt saying the same thing about the mirror. It's kind of reassuring to me that she said she still felt good in her 80's. Twenty-five years is a good run, especially if you're truly awake and living in a conscious way. I'm finding patience to be my key lesson at the moment in so many different ways. Thank you for sharing the links to your poems. I'll check them out today!