Late Blooming?

Older brains are believed to excel in certain areas:  Practice wisdom comes from much experience; there is less drama on a daily basis (emotional regularity); we tend to look longer at the sunny side of the street; we know when to zig, and when to zag.  A recent study offers another possibility:  While processing speed declines with age, maybe an increased ability to reading other people's moods gives us a bump in emotional intelligence.  Being perceptive about others can help with decision-making, forging relationships, and generally avoiding toxic situations.  All things to cheer about.  Check out the NYT article, "Older Really Can Mean Wiser" by Bendict Carey (Mind section)  3/17/15.