Happy Mother’s Day To All Women
My mother was an exceptional, loving, positive, intelligent and gifted woman. Each memory of her is special. I am thankful that she was my mother and for all she taught me and the example she provided.
I am equally thankful for the other women who were my guides, teachers, supporters and role models. Many of them were not “mothers” as a result of giving birth; however each mothered me in some way. The same is true for our daughter. Many other women play an important role in her life. For both of us these other precious women were, and continue to be, teachers, scout leaders, aunts, cousins, godmothers, and friends who step in to show the way and to advise and model.
To each of these women and to each of you I say, “Happy Mothers Day!”
Bonnie Fatio
Bonnie Fatio and Leonie van Daalen-Röell
Go, Not Knowing Where!
What a blessing to have friends who are true age-esteemers and continue to contribute to our world! Leonie van Daalen-Röell is one of these friends. Leonie, who is Dutch and living in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband of 60 years, originally wrote Go, Not Knowing Where! for her American grandchildren.
Leonie’s happy childhood days on her family’s sugar plantation in the Dutch East Indies colony quickly becomes the story of terror, separation and internment during World War II in Indonesian, a war area we seldom hear about. This is followed by the difficult return to Holland and readjusting to normalcy. It is her personal record based on memory and a multitude of personal letters.
Go, Not Knowing Where! is a captivating, real, and informative story about one girl’s life during the transformation of the Dutch East Indies colony into the independent country of Indonesia.
Do you also have a story worth telling? Your story might also represent a precious contribution to convey history as it was lived, just as this age-esteemer‘s has.
Bonnie Fatio
Valentine, I Love You!
Valentine’s Day is coming up,
Get out your porcelain loving cup,
And plan to kiss the ones you love,
(While thanking all the stars above).
All the love poems have been written,
Every heart already smitten:
Loving words have all been said,
Roses still remain as Red;
Still, it’s nice to hear anew:
“Valentine, I do love You!
Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem
My 15 Age Esteem wishes for you during 2015
- Live each day fully.
- Stretch your body, mind and spirit.
- Inhale happiness and love; exhale pain and fear.
- Embrace new experiences.
- Build play into your day.
- Share your talents with others of all ages.
- Learn something new each day.
- Laugh often.
- Celebrate frequently.
- Love yourself unconditionally.
- Seek the positive in each person and experience.
- Give thanks for the blessings of your life.
- Meet new challenges with a sense of adventure.
- Greet each new day with anticipation and zest.
- Become a living model of Age Esteem for those who meet you!
Happy Age Esteem 2015!
Bonnie Lou Fatio
May the blessings of Christmas
be with you and your loved ones every day of the year!
Bonnie Fatio
What a wonderful reminder to give thanks on this special day for all the blessings that surround us.
I am especially thankful for the people in my life who make my heart brim with love.
- My granddaughters who remind me how to play and laugh with abandon,
- Our daughter and her husband who are cascading the love and values of family to the next generation,
- Our extended family of all ages who share their lives with us and keep us current,
- Friends who dare say, “I love you” and hug with genuine warmth,
- People who have passed through my life, often without a name, who have marked me in some positive way through a word or action,
- The parents and grandparents who did their best to transmit their values, faith, and zest for life that continue to guide me today, and especially
- My husband of 49 years who encourages and supports my dreams and is always present with his unconditional love, allowing me to be my authentic self.
Oh, yes, my heart overflows with thanksgiving and gratitude for all of this and so much more.
Bonnie Fatio
P.S. The cute turkey was drawn by Rani, one of our young friends whose family invited us to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with them.
Halloween in Geneva
Have you seen Halloween in Genève?
There are ghosts at the Postes au Salève.
Witches park in the dark under trees,
Goblins scowl as they prowl in the bise.
Slinky cats snarl at bats by the Quai.
I’ll remember in November all this fray.
Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®
Happy International Day of Older Persons
The United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually on October 1 to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives.
This year, the 24th International Day of Older Persons carries the theme Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All.
Over the next 50 years, the number of older persons in the world will grow from about 600 million to almost 2 billion. Today, one person in ten is aged 60 or over – by 2050, this will be one person in five, and by 2150, one in three.
International Day of Older Persons offers AgeEsteem a prime opportunity to recognise the contributions of older persons as they continue in the paid the labor force, volunteer in numerous areas, share knowledge and experience, care for family and community, invent new technology and blaze new trails.
I am proud to be an older person! What about you?
Bonnie Fatio
Age Esteem – at Any Age!
Age Esteem – at Any Age! will be the theme of the lunchtime seminar by Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem, sponsored by the WHO (World Health Organisation) HQ Staff Association on Wednesday 1 October to mark the International Day of Older Persons. Bonnie will be giving tips and facts to help you to feel good about yourself, whatever your age. Whether you are preparing for retirement with two or three more years with the Organisation, or younger in your mid-forties, it is time to start now to build for a meaningful future.
Age Esteem’s vision of a world where people of all ages are respected as contributing members of society aligns well with the International Day of Older Persons.
If you have not yet signed up for the Age Esteem Telesummit, do it now!
The following feedback offers you a taste of why you will want to sign up and receive the recordings of the talks you missed – all are free during a limited time.
"Just a quick note to tell you I think your telesummit, with the most amazing speakers, is fantastic! I know there are 2 more days, but it has been extremely enlightening and the quality of the information and delivery so far is fabulous.
I especially resonated with Tina Lifford's concept of "Inner Fitness" and the importance of cultivating skills of resilience and optimism. Her message and examples were terrific. As I rushed home from exercise class to hear her, I realized I do not spend anywhere near the time on inner fitness as I do on physical fitness.
Dr. Jen Palmer answered so many questions I have had (what supplements do we really need and why), and having her be specific with dosage and brands both during her presentation and then on your website was so appreciated. The idea that "Being Sedentary is equivalent to Smoking" (not sure I quoted correctly) in relation to oxygen getting to the brain and body was a real eye opener. She has such a lovely delivery – it was like you were sitting in her office and she was talking just to you.
And how I adored today hearing the "Professional Age-Esteem Bonnie Fatio". The first item on my list you asked us to make "What do I love about being 67 (my age)" is that now that I am retired, I have the time to call in to a conference which is uplifting, motivating, thought provoking, stimulating and hopefully so good that I truly incorporate the new information in my daily life. I always take away so many ideas from your presentations ("Spam your negative thoughts", give a specific name to your fears, YOU are in the Driver's Seat of your life).
Thank you Bonnie Fatio for all you do to energize everyone with whom you come in contact. I know you worked hours to create this telesummit. What a gift to listeners and readers (I copied some of the free material and will send to friends).
Looking forward to the next 2 speakers!" – Diana Johnson, Arizona, USA
