I had friends in their sixties, seventies, and eighties when I was in my teens, and have had a wide age range of friends and acquaintances ever since. It's always been enriching to be aware of multiple individual perspectives, and to avoid reducing everyone to meaningless "generations" at odds with each other. That's when ageism really flourishes.
I was in my 30s when Maggie Kuhn formed the Gray Panthers, a group against ageism, after she was forced to retire at the mandatory age of 65. She's famous for her quote, "“Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind -- even if your voice shakes.” I loved her even then and marveled at the courage it took for her to take on a new career as an advocate at such an advanced age (!!)
I remember that she also said old age homes and 'senior' complexes were prisons and she much preferred living among the young, who gave her energy and much to think about. I feel that way now. I can't imagine living in a senior citizens complex, even for a minute. (Sorry if that upsets seniors who DO live in those complexes. We all make our choices.)
The conversations I have with my grandchildren are filled with deep thoughts, along with probing our age differences and laughing like crazy--and I'm thrilled that they seek out my company.
My Facebook pages reflect the same. All ages are represented!
I see it here, too, and I celebrate our acceptance of our differences. That's what keeps it interesting!
I turned 60 a few months ago and am just now feeling like I'm ready to write- I have the depth and experience and empathy I didn't have even at 40. I find it funny when a 20-something writes a memoir. They haven't even started life yet. Please keep doing you!
60 is an amazing time of life. We're ready to shed those crazy expectations we've carried with us since we were young and move on to those places we thought we could only always long for. Scary but thrilling!
Of course you're ready to write! You have the time now and you're living in a place of beauty and peace--something I highly recommend for every writer. Don't look on it as a challenge, but rather as a journey. Discoveries ahead!
And come back any time. We're building a community here and you're always welcome!
I had friends in their sixties, seventies, and eighties when I was in my teens, and have had a wide age range of friends and acquaintances ever since. It's always been enriching to be aware of multiple individual perspectives, and to avoid reducing everyone to meaningless "generations" at odds with each other. That's when ageism really flourishes.
I was in my 30s when Maggie Kuhn formed the Gray Panthers, a group against ageism, after she was forced to retire at the mandatory age of 65. She's famous for her quote, "“Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind -- even if your voice shakes.” I loved her even then and marveled at the courage it took for her to take on a new career as an advocate at such an advanced age (!!)
I remember that she also said old age homes and 'senior' complexes were prisons and she much preferred living among the young, who gave her energy and much to think about. I feel that way now. I can't imagine living in a senior citizens complex, even for a minute. (Sorry if that upsets seniors who DO live in those complexes. We all make our choices.)
The conversations I have with my grandchildren are filled with deep thoughts, along with probing our age differences and laughing like crazy--and I'm thrilled that they seek out my company.
My Facebook pages reflect the same. All ages are represented!
I see it here, too, and I celebrate our acceptance of our differences. That's what keeps it interesting!
I turned 60 a few months ago and am just now feeling like I'm ready to write- I have the depth and experience and empathy I didn't have even at 40. I find it funny when a 20-something writes a memoir. They haven't even started life yet. Please keep doing you!
60 is an amazing time of life. We're ready to shed those crazy expectations we've carried with us since we were young and move on to those places we thought we could only always long for. Scary but thrilling!
Of course you're ready to write! You have the time now and you're living in a place of beauty and peace--something I highly recommend for every writer. Don't look on it as a challenge, but rather as a journey. Discoveries ahead!
And come back any time. We're building a community here and you're always welcome!
Thank you! I already know this is going to be my best decade! And hope it only grows each year....