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…]
Life changes. How do you read those words? Do you see them as a sentence—pointing out that life is continually changing? Did you see it as a prediction that this piece would detail changes in my life? Obviously, it can mean either or both. A couple of years ago, Steve and I started talking about … [Read more…]
My 75th birthday started off with a bang, driving to Hendersonville, Tennessee, for lunch with my dad’s cousin, Judy, who is only three months younger than I am. We had a delightful lunch at Cafe Rakka, a great Mediterranean restaurant. Then to Nashville to meet our granddaughter, Kinley, a freshman at Lipscomb University, for the … [Read more…]
What a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate the life of my dear Aunt Juanita! Our trip to Goodlettsville, Tennessee, was uneventful and quick. We were there for the visitation and then the funeral. At the visitation, I renewed acquaintance with many cousins and enjoyed talking to eight of my NINE aunts and uncles. Uncle L.D., … [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…]
Yesterday afternoon when Steve got home, he suggested a walk. What a beautiful day! Our walk was for relaxation and appreciation, not for exercise. We chatted with neighbors, met their grandchildren, and even ran into a man I’d taught when he was in third grade. Lovely! So sweet of Steve to suggest it at an … [Read more…]
Through my father-in-law, I learned that “old” is ten or more years older than the person speaking. At age 75, he would bemoan getting in line “behind all those old people.” So I spent last week with old people–very revealing. Steve and I drove to Middle Tennessee, home of my youth, and visited some of … [Read more…]
