"You think I'm waiting to die." A brilliant line. And for a long time, I felt that's what I was doing. But no more! Being a caregiver and being over 70 is actually NOT a death sentence. Huh! Yay!
Loved the poem. I've been battling my own wrinkle lately. Thanks for sharing. Here's a quote from a book I love (Wise Women by Joyce Tenneson). " People often stop me now and tell me I'm beautiful. I never had that happen when I was younger. So for me aging has, at least on the surface, made others more interested in me and who I am." ~ Betty Silverstein
“Old” is not a negative or dirty word…it simply describes a point in the life cycle when I am no longer young or middle-aged. I accept that I am closer to the end of my life than the beginning. While my thoughts, attitudes, and approach to life are not “old” or rigid, my body struggles and reminds me daily of where I am in my life cycle…and I am grateful for this. So many people are in denial that they will one day die, and believe talking about it will make it come sooner. It won’t. They are offended if they overhear someone say “that old lady over there,” just as I used to say when I was a teenager. At 75 I am filled with gratitude to be an elder, to have made it this far when so many haven’t…to have survived serious health challenges, life’s ups and down, heartbreaks, disappointments, and to have grown from all of them. In reality I am “old” but this does not define me. Living a life of meaning and purpose defines me.
Carol, I couldn’t agree with you more. Especially about those being in denial re death. (My work for the last 8 years has all been about educating people about that)
There are just not enough (yet!) who think like you and I do! But spreading the word consistently, persistently is happening. Fortunately!
Thanks, Jane, for what you do and for responding. As a hospice end-of-life educator and grief counselor for the past 33 years, this has been my life’s work. While I have seen some forward movement in this time with regard to acceptance and willingness to talk about death, dying and grief, change is slow.
' l'm not old.... '.... but at 84 l'm not young. The most important thing of the last 15 years, or so, is getting used to getting old ( rather than being old )..... like having to wear glasses all the time and the hazards of things like steps being in different places because of this.... and realising that pedestrians pass me because l don't walk as fast as l used to....
Thank you, Jane. I love the poem! Another view of the headline could be: I am not old - I am wise. Not sure where that came from, but anyway :-) When I am out of ideas, I have tried just to start writing....and even begin with "I don't what to write about, but I write anyway," and often I get ideas after a couple of sentences. It could be worth a try.
Thank you so much Erik - that's a great idea, and very wise! I will give it a go next time. I think actually I really need to get into a regular writing habit, which I'm not in yet. You have given me a nudge towards that. Many thanks!
Part of embracing ageing is acceptance, and that's what I appreciate in your post - not pushing when the muse doesn't arrive. Thank you, and for the feisty poem.
"You think I'm waiting to die." A brilliant line. And for a long time, I felt that's what I was doing. But no more! Being a caregiver and being over 70 is actually NOT a death sentence. Huh! Yay!
Woo hoo! Loving your energy here
Love this! I Am Not Old—great title.
Thanks, Jane. You did have a good idea: submitting this wonderful poem.
Loved the poem. I've been battling my own wrinkle lately. Thanks for sharing. Here's a quote from a book I love (Wise Women by Joyce Tenneson). " People often stop me now and tell me I'm beautiful. I never had that happen when I was younger. So for me aging has, at least on the surface, made others more interested in me and who I am." ~ Betty Silverstein
Thanks Jan - I haven't heard of that book or the quote. I'm going to have a peek at it now!
It’s an oldie. 😉
“Old” is not a negative or dirty word…it simply describes a point in the life cycle when I am no longer young or middle-aged. I accept that I am closer to the end of my life than the beginning. While my thoughts, attitudes, and approach to life are not “old” or rigid, my body struggles and reminds me daily of where I am in my life cycle…and I am grateful for this. So many people are in denial that they will one day die, and believe talking about it will make it come sooner. It won’t. They are offended if they overhear someone say “that old lady over there,” just as I used to say when I was a teenager. At 75 I am filled with gratitude to be an elder, to have made it this far when so many haven’t…to have survived serious health challenges, life’s ups and down, heartbreaks, disappointments, and to have grown from all of them. In reality I am “old” but this does not define me. Living a life of meaning and purpose defines me.
Carol, I couldn’t agree with you more. Especially about those being in denial re death. (My work for the last 8 years has all been about educating people about that)
There are just not enough (yet!) who think like you and I do! But spreading the word consistently, persistently is happening. Fortunately!
carolschoneberg.com
Thanks, Jane, for what you do and for responding. As a hospice end-of-life educator and grief counselor for the past 33 years, this has been my life’s work. While I have seen some forward movement in this time with regard to acceptance and willingness to talk about death, dying and grief, change is slow.
Good to meet you here. I’m 84 and never been more alive. We should share some.
Yes aging can be a blessing.
That's a great statement Douglass. Wonderful you feel like this. Similar to Patricia's on the latest post 'Welcoming In or Pushing away?'
Love and embrace those wrinkles. They make you beautiful, wise, an Elder. Your poem brought to mind, Jenny Joseph's poem, "Warning". Love it!
Yes, it is wonderful that poem, isn't it! And thank you for those lovely words - you are so right, of course :)
Oh that poem. Thank you!!
Authenticity is so refreshing! I think all of us who try to summon the muse on a regular schedule have been stood up at some point.
That's a lovely way to put it Sally! Thanks so much. I appreciate the encouragement
Comment from Joy Godsell.
' l'm not old.... '.... but at 84 l'm not young. The most important thing of the last 15 years, or so, is getting used to getting old ( rather than being old )..... like having to wear glasses all the time and the hazards of things like steps being in different places because of this.... and realising that pedestrians pass me because l don't walk as fast as l used to....
Mmmm... 'getting old, rather than being old'. Now perhaps I need to write a bit about that! Thank you for the inspiration :)
Thank you, Jane. I love the poem! Another view of the headline could be: I am not old - I am wise. Not sure where that came from, but anyway :-) When I am out of ideas, I have tried just to start writing....and even begin with "I don't what to write about, but I write anyway," and often I get ideas after a couple of sentences. It could be worth a try.
Thank you so much Erik - that's a great idea, and very wise! I will give it a go next time. I think actually I really need to get into a regular writing habit, which I'm not in yet. You have given me a nudge towards that. Many thanks!
Part of embracing ageing is acceptance, and that's what I appreciate in your post - not pushing when the muse doesn't arrive. Thank you, and for the feisty poem.
That's so lovely to hear Juliet, thanks so much . Glad you liked the poem :)
Oooh. I like that. What a wise mum!