Most of my writing has focused on being a senior, and I never liked that label. I associate it with being in the last year of high school or college, and I graduated from both of those a long time ago. I have a grandchild who was a high school senior last year, is now a college freshman, and hopefully, inContinue reading “Please Call Me An Older Adult, I Haven’t Been a Senior Since College”
Tag Archives: aging
Supernumerary?
I know, “supernumerary” is a difficult word to pronounce, with unclear meaning, and it has been significantly declining in usage since the 19th century. Nonetheless, it describes what I sometimes feel. Definitions include “extra, present in excess of the normal or needed number,” and synonyms include “superfluous.” At the end of a busy life, asContinue reading “Supernumerary?”
Bring on the ’80s
What does it mean to reach the ‘80s? There’s no escaping the fact that when you reach that decade, you are considered old. As I approached that age I became more interested in reading the obits in the NYTimes, with a focus on ages and causes of death. I was concerned when I saw thatContinue reading “Bring on the ’80s”
I’m Not As Old As I Used To Be
When I turned 65 I knew I was officially considered a senior, yet I didn’t feel old. I was still fully engaged in my career and had no plans to retire any time soon. Now that I am retired and approaching another birthday, I decided to look into the distinctions in ages that are madeContinue reading “I’m Not As Old As I Used To Be”
Sandwich Generation
Many years ago, I was part of what is called a “sandwich generation,” an expression generally used to describe people who are in middle age and have responsibility for the care of their children and their older parents. When I was in my 30s and 40s, I had two young children and an elderly motherContinue reading “Sandwich Generation”
Flickering
After I got to 70 —the age, not the speed—on some days I feel all the expectations and fears about that age: Will the rest of my body start to deteriorate? Am I heading toward dementia? What is my purpose in life? Will I need to spend more of my time in the future asContinue reading “Flickering”
Differences Between Actual and Felt Ages
Most older people think of themselves as younger than their age. I am in that group. And I’m also one of those older folks who are surprised when they glimpse themselves in a mirror or glass window. Who is that person? She couldn’t be me— she looks older than I am, and looks like myContinue reading “Differences Between Actual and Felt Ages”
Youthful and Useful: Changes in Meaning Over Time
I did it! After having my hair colored for many years, I am letting my gray hair grow in. When a few gray hairs showed up near my temples, I thought it looked attractive, and contrasted nicely with my dark brown hair. My friend said it looked like the gray was providing a partial frameContinue reading “Youthful and Useful: Changes in Meaning Over Time”
Props for a Closing Window
I started thinking about aging when I was in my 50s. What would I do once my children left home? How would I spend my time when I stopped working full time and my career ended? What would provide meaning in my life? I didn’t worry too much about it then because my life wasContinue reading “Props for a Closing Window”
Still Among the Youngest
I never liked being the youngest of three children, with a brother four and a half years older and a sister eleven years older. As the youngest child, I always felt a bit of an outsider and I couldn’t do many of the fun things my older siblings were allowed to do. Also, I skippedContinue reading “Still Among the Youngest”
Reflections on Aging 