On Growing Older

ON GROWING OLDER ...
Aug. 20, 2011
SSL

     Aging is a gradual process it seems to me, not a series of "stages".
     There are physical changes as we get older -- Our glasses become "tri-focals", we need more dental work, our hearing is less sharp, it's more of an effort to get up out of an easy chair (or recliner).
     We notice these changes, from time to time, but they are not sudden. They sneak up on us. Our spine may begin to curve so that is it hard to "stand up straight" -- even when we are reminded.
     We look different on the outside, but we are the same people inside -- just more experienced!
     Think how full our "memory banks" are. It's no wonder we can't always come up with the exact word to express our meaning.
     Certainly our attitudes have matured -- at least, we hope so. We've learned to be more sensitive to other peoples feeling -- We try to understand their different viewpoints. We have lots of time to think. And to look back and enjoy our memories.

     It seems to me that people who want to plunk the "human life style" into stages -- like separate boxes -- might be a little young and inexperienced and rely too much on "studies"--
     A person my age can look back over a life-time of changes we only became aware of gradually-- (Especially when you are ninety years old!)

ON GROWING OLDER, ETC.

Interviews:
     John, keep in mind that the people you interview may not think of themselves as "aging" at 60. They may think of themselves as aging, but as middle-aged. In fact, I once plotted it this way:

1. Childhood and youth.
30's: Adulthood and 40's
50's: Maturity
60's: Middle-aged
70's: Mature middle-age
80's: Elderly
90's: Old!

But then, I remember a women I knew who called herself "an old lady" -- she was 58. (And I remember the funny look on the faces of Emma 'n' Charlotte when I told them. (They probably were in their 60's -- and still working -- as school nurses.)

     (Notice that I have called it growing older...)

     I do like your idea of going back and interviewing them on "what they have reflected on in the meantime" -- You certainly got me interested in "reflecting!"
     (Re: "Touch of Grey" -- Do you know about the "Grey Ladies" in hospitals?)
     About the multi-generational relationships; grand-parents and children -- Have you noticed that people (my age) smile at the children they meet, related or not?
     I certainly felt at-ease with my grand-children this summer and enjoyed their company. I wonder how they felt... (This is a whole different subject than aging...)

ON "AGING," AND OTHER COMMENTS.

     Remember that ladies in their 60's may have noticed a few wrinkles, but they may not think of themselves as aging. They may even fool you by "coloring" (Aunt Carol's word) their hair. Phyllis S. certainly fooled me -- I thought she was in her 70's -- and then she turned 90 before I did.
     I like the idea of calling your retreat "Joy on the Journey"
     I often think of Carol, in her 90's, saying "Ah, the memories" -- It is certainly true -- and makes me appreciate having them...

     Now, about "multi-cultural" (a digression here): I've been reading of the different expectations of Mexican and Chinese families....



(Sara Scofield Leech, b. June 13, 1921, Palo Alto, Cal.)