As is my custom in September – I wish you a Happy New Year.
With grandchildren and, in my case, a great granddaughter (grade two already!), it’s the time to go back to school.
September is also when we start to put away our summer clothes, really appreciate the last days of our summer gardens, and think about the activities we will participate in over the next ten months.
And then October…October 1 has been designated by the United Nations to recognize the contributions of older persons and examine the issues that affect their lives.
With Thanksgiving Day only two weeks later, on October 14 in Canada, there is cause to celebrate both events with gratitude and thanksgiving.
Like many Canadians, my background is both settler and indigenous. I am a mixture of many, and proud of it. I am also an older person. I am grateful for all of that.
According to Ralph Milton, in his book Well Aged, old age doesn’t start until you’re 80. At 67 he still thought of himself as middle-aged.
I know that I have the mindset of someone middle-aged and sometimes even that of a teenager! Perhaps we are a combination of all the ages we have ever been?
We improve with age, don’t you agree?
We have a greater acceptance of ourselves and of others at this age. And while we may sometimes focus on what we forget – Dang! Where did I put my glasses? What is that person’s name? – many of us decide to learn a new skill and off we go to take a course or pull it up online.
We don’t lose our ability to learn – we just learn in another way, building upon our knowledge and experiences. I am grateful for these honed abilities.
I asked a few of my Facebook friends to share with me why they are happy attaining the age they are.
Kathryn G, Winnipeg, said, “My elderly mother is going through health issues. I recently turned 65 and started receiving OAS. This has given me the financial cushion to look after her. At her assisted living facility, I have commented that being able to look after an elderly parent is an honour many do not get to experience.”
Valerie G, Victoria, said, “I love being older. (And perhaps a little wiser!) I’m grateful every day for having been able to care for my parents when I was in my 60’s myself. I’m grateful for still having my ‘marbles’ as I turn 80 and still being able to write! I’m grateful that my husband is still beside me after 55 years of marriage. I’m grateful for my adorable grandsons and being able to watch them grow up. Having the privilege of being ‘old’ is a gift for me – and you may quote me on that!” (Indeed, I did!)
Mame M., Kelowna, simply replied, “You know my favorite saying. ‘I love my life.’”
Maureen M., Courtenay, wrote, “Life starts at 60. I feel free and confident to do whatever I want. Life is good. Now why does it take so long to figure things out?”
Jean H., Burnaby, wrote, “One of the benefits of being older is that you have so many good memories of what has happened in your life. I have tried to capture some of them in my scrapbooks and can share them with my family.”
Often we rush through our lives without taking the time to reflect on all the things that give it meaning…like enjoying a soulful conversation with a friend over coffee, discovering an uplifting podcast, living in a safe community, or cherishing those we love.
Let’s be grateful for where we are, what we have been given, what we have learned and above all what we have been blessed with.
Happy New Year and thank you for being such great readers with whom I can share my older ideas!
PS. I asked my husband what he thought of being older and he replied, “I don’t think about it actually.” I do love this man I’ve been married to for 27 years this September! Happy Anniversary, darling!
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Laurie Mueller, M.Ed is retired and living in Victoria with her husband, Helmuth. She recently published The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When Someone You Love Dies, available on Amazon. More about Laurie can be found at www.lauriemconsulting.com or on Facebook.