June 24, 1981, was to be my father’s 60th birthday and my mother decided to have a surprise party for him at Cherokee Steakhouse in Gallatin, Tennessee, a few miles from their home. Steve and Josh had things going on that they couldn’t miss, so I drove to Tennessee with baby Kelsey to be part … [Read more…]
I hear a lot about ageism, and I understand the concept. Ageism is thinking, feeling, or acting negatively toward someone based on age. But I think there is an aspect of ageism that we don’t always consider, and that is feeling negatively about ourselves based on age! The World Health Organization actually defines ageism as … [Read more…]
After we’ve reached a certain age, the first questions we get during a doctor visit are “Have you fallen lately?” and “Do you have throw rugs in your home that are a falling hazard?” No. And no. Steve told me about a woman who was stirring her coffee as she walked, lost her balance, and … [Read more…]
As I think of more stories about my mother that I didn’t include in Spillin’ the Beans, I’m going to post them here. While many of our Jewish friends are celebrating Passover in trying times, I thought of this story. *** As my mother aged and was dealing with her rheumatoid arthritis, she needed more … [Read more…]
“How do you like retirement?” my friend Allison asked. “Love it, of course!” I replied. “But I loved teaching, too.” That’s the short answer. I love my scheduled activities and my impromptu ones. I love hosting the Bible studies at my house and helping my Egyptian friend and my Chinese friend with their English. I … [Read more…]
Have you ever thought of what people would find in your home if you died suddenly, unexpectedly? I have. They might observe that I tried to be organized but still was messy in many areas. It’s just hard to keep things neat when I have lots of different things going at once. Last week I … [Read more…]
Marriage. What a wonderful and mysterious institution! My parents were married 74 years ago today, on my mother’s twentieth birthday. By the time I was aware of her celebrating both birthday and anniversary on the same day, she was saying how foolish she had been. But she’d always said she didn’t want to be a … [Read more…]
As older relatives, especially parents, pass on, sometimes we have regrets about questions—trivial to important—we never asked. Here are some examples: What was your favorite childhood game? What else did you do for entertainment? What do you remember about your first— electricity? television? indoor toilet? car? movie? In what situation did you meet and court … [Read more…]
News coverage in the last week has gone from inspiring to devastating. All we can do for Orlando is pray and offer peace and love to those around us. Chick Fil A gave us a great example by firing up the grills on SUNDAY and giving free food to those giving blood and to police … [Read more…]
My exercise class at the YMCA is called “Silver Sneakers Classic.” Silver Sneakers is “the nation’s leading exercise program for active older adults.” So it’s an exercise class for old people; one friend calls it the “chair class.” Indeed we do each have a chair and some of the upper body exercises are done sitting, … [Read more…]
