I am a firm believer that age should not define you. At some point in our lives, we all deal with physical change issues. Getting older isn’t pretty. Giving up on yourself is worse.
My life has included many changes involving moves, career fluctuations, health issues, and losses of family and friends. Not different from many people. How we deal with changes matters.
Through my seven decades of life, I have constantly adjusted and will do so until the day I am no longer here. I endure the losses and cherish my memories. I accept needing to adapt to health problems and the simple fact that my body can no longer do what I did in my earlier years. Of course, I complain about that, but accept it.
I no longer work in the normal working world. I am retired, yet I feel busier these days than ever before. It always amazes me when people think just because you no longer work in the paying world that you do nothing. That’s not true for me, nor for many of the seniors I interact with daily.
I have been a volunteer in my community helping at senior centers in some manner for thirty-two years. I help behind the scenes at many events. I work and visit with other scrapbookers. I do my best to make lap quilts that are given to adults and babies in our community. I guide and instruct older adults who wish to explore writing or pen their life stories.
I am also a multi-published author of eight children’s books and two collections of relationship stories about mature adults over age 60. Working with my fellow senior center authors, I have published six story collections of their works, as well as a cookbook.
But I am not done!