The Older Woman’s Love
“The older woman’s love is not love of herself, nor of herself mirrored in a lover’s eyes, nor is it corrupted by need. It is a feeling of tenderness so still and deep and warm that it gilds every grass blade and blesses every fly. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” – Germaine Greer
Are You Lonely?
People with age esteem know it is important to have friends from diverse generations. As we get older, friends of our own generation and older may no longer be present to visit and chat. It is important to have younger friends as well.
This was again brought to my attention when a friend sent me the following story from an English newspaper.
“An elderly couple called 999 because they were lonely and officers responded by going round for a cup of tea.
Two police constables from Greater Manchester Police were sent to the home of Fred Thomson and his 95-year-old wife after she called the emergency services suggesting her husband was having difficulties.
The police constable said he and a colleague arrived at the house believing the husband may have had a fall but found “the couple did not need medical attention and in fact the call had been made out of desperation”.
The couple offered the officers a cup of tea. They were desperate for conversation and the presence of others.”
Remain in contact with your friends and call on them when you want company. Invite them over for a cup of coffee or tea. I have several older friends who do this regularly, and I am always delighted when I am able to spend time with them. I also invite friends of multiple generations to my home. I treasure their friendships.
Are you lonely? Then either get out of the house and go where you will see others or phone a friend to come visit. Chances are others are lonely, too. Share your age esteem.
Bonnie Fatio
Happiest After Sixty
“Given three requisites – means of existence, reasonable health, and an absorbing interest – those years beyond 60 can be the happiest and most satisfying of a lifetime.” – Earnest Elmo Calkins
Keep Moving Towards Your Dream
Does your dream seem too big and too far away? Don’t give up. Keep your dream alive in your thoughts and move towards it one step at a time.
Life moves one step at a time. Something I learned while working with children with very special needs years ago is that you must recognize the little successes that keep us moving in the right direction. Even though we sometimes think we are off course, my experience proves time and again that we never really are. We simply stop along the path to smell the roses or turn over a rock. And from each little detour we learn something precious for the future. You are moving towards what you desire with little steps.
Keep moving towards your dream, one step at a time and enjoy the journey.
Bonnie Fatio
Lost and Found Moments
Do you find yourself with time on your hands? As we age, often we seem to have more “down” time than we might like.
I love moments that others might count as “lost time”. These little windows of unexpected time are a gift.
You know the moments I am thinking of – waiting for a bus, plane or train; the time you have at the hairdressers waiting for your hair to dry or take color; being all ready to go somewhere and having to wait for your partner or child; sitting in a restaurant waiting for your guest to arrive, or sitting in the doctor’s office. Each of us experience moments like these.
People with age-esteem know how to step into the “now” and enjoy the moment. Try some of these ideas next time you have to wait.
Actually, I drafted this message while waiting for my hair to dry…
Next time you have “lost” time on your hands, turn it into “found” time.
If I Had My Life To Live Over
Written by Erma Bombeck
“If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television – and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.” There would have been more “I love you’s”.. More “I’m sorrys” …
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it … live it…and never give it back.
Erma Bombeck wrote this when she knew that she had a fatal disease. It is filled with loving advice for each of us, at every age and stage.
Bonnie Fatio
The Fountain Of Youth
“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life & to the lives of the people you love.” – Sophia Loren
This Is A Wonderful Day
This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.
Maya Angelou
Use this thought as you greet each new day to boost your age esteem. This IS a wonderful day. You have never seen this one before, nor will you see it again. Enjoy it to the fullest!
Bonnie Fatio
Vieillir En Beauté
Vieillir en beauté, c’est vieillir avec son coeur;
Sans remord, sans regret, sans regarder l’heure;
Aller de l’avant, arrêter d’avoir peur;
Car, à chaque âge, se rattache un bonheur.
Vieillir en beauté, c’est vieillir avec son corps;
Le garder sain en dedans, beau en dehors.
Ne jamais abdiquer devant un effort.
L’âge n’a rien à voir avec la mort.
Vieillir en beauté, c’est donner un coup de pouce
À ceux qui se sentent perdus dans la brousse,
Qui ne croient plus que la vie peut être douce
Et qu’il y a toujours quelqu’un à la rescousse.
Vieillir en beauté, c’est vieillir positivement.
Ne pas pleurer sur ses souvenirs d’antan.
Être fier d’avoir les cheveux blancs,
Car, pour être heureux, on a encore le temps.
Vieillir en beauté, c’est vieillir avec amour,
Savoir donner sans rien attendre en retour;
Car, où que l’on soit, à l’aube du jour,
Il y a quelqu’un à qui dire bonjour.
Vieillir en beauté, c’est vieillir avec espoir;
Être content de soi en se couchant le soir.
Et lorsque viendra le point de non-recevoir,
Se dire qu’au fond, ce n’est qu’un au revoir.
Ce poème a été transmise à Age Esteem par un ami qui l’a trouvé sur l’internet. L’auteur est inconnu.
Bonnie Fatio
Age Esteem = Regular Interaction with People of All Ages
An important quality of Age Esteem is to have regular interaction with people of all ages. – To relate to the full span of ages.
This used to be a natural aspect of living. Three, even four generations within a family often lived under the same roof, and still do in many countries today. It provided a natural relationship among different generations with each understanding his or her role within the family.
Of course it was not always easy, but neither is it necessarily easy to live within a mono-generational community. In both cases we need to know how to accept and respect each other.
We also learn from each other. The older ones give us a reference to be able to put the ups and downs of life into perspective as we make our own life decisions. They provide examples as role models.
Younger generations keep us current. What matters to youth today? How do they view the world? What is the meaning of their favorite music and games?
When we esteem ourselves at the age we are, this age esteem comes in part from recognizing the value of our age, in relation to ourselves and in relation to others.
Working and interacting intergenerationally helps us to gain the necessary perspective to recognize our own value at the age we are.
Bonnie Fatio
