A highlight of spending a few weeks in Florida age is to take breaks from my activities to walk on the beach and just enjoy “being”. There is something reviving and stimulating about splashing through the seawater as the waves wash up on the shore.

Yesterday walking on the beach I passed a woman searching among some scattered shells. Following the hurricane there are very few shells on the beach this year. I said this to her
as I walked near her and we struck up a conversation. 30 minutes later we were still talking. She fascinated me with stories of her multiple activities and her love of life.

She was definitely an AgeEsteemer. I learned that her activities included stimulating discussion groups, volunteering where she interacted with all generations, and traveling to the new and unknown. It was clear that she was living fully, keeping her mind alive, stretching herself further, and interacting with different people – which obviously included speaking to strangers on a beach.

Hmm. I wonder if she thought I was an AgeEsteemer, too.

Bonnie Fatio

Do You Hate To Fly?

Do You Hate To Fly?

If you find you have to fly

Try to think about the sky

Look, its almost always Blue

Clear and Bright – that could be You!

Young or old, each “flight” is new

If clouds be gray, what to do?

Just take the journey anyway –

Be happy for another day.

Written by Alexandra Taylor for AgeEsteem®

Alexandra Taylor, our Age Esteem Poet, spends several winter months in the land of her childhood roots, Palm Beach, Florida. Fortunately she is en route back home to Geneva, Switzerland. – Thus the topic of the poem.

We look forward to a new flow of verse to keep our rhythmic age esteem alive with rhyme and smiles. 

Big Bird

Big Bird is a gift for all ages, and a symbol of age esteem.  When our four year old granddaughter and I met him at Busch Gardens, Florida, we were both equally thrilled.  – And we both wanted our photo with her!*

When I met her I said, “Oh, Big Bird, you have been my idol forever!”, later to discover that she was created in 1969.  She represents the  generation between our granddaughter and me.  So this is truly an intergenerational photo.

Big Bird is definitely a friend of AgeEsteem® and a gift for all ages.

• Big Bird makes you laugh, without even speaking.
• All generations love him.
• His goal is to help people learn, especially children.
• He is a role model as a good friend to the other Muppets.
• He reminds us of the importance of play and having fun, at every age.

A Gem Of A Business

I’m always delighted to discover AgeEsteemed Businesses.  Denise’s Beachway Cafe* in Bradenton, Forida is such a place.  Although we were only in the area for a week, we ate there three times.  The food was delicious and the environment welcoming – and full of AgeEsteem.

• Welcoming for all ages:  50 plus customers, grandparents with grandchildren, business people and small groups of friends of all ages.
• Staff of multiple ages with most being 50 plus who love doing just what they do.  In fact, Denise told me « I hire them for their smile and attitude. –  I can teach anyone the mechanics of the job ».
• Family atomosphere.  Staff call many customers by name, asking about their families and activites. (Giving your name to sign up for a table probably helps.)  Many sign in on their own   We saw one regular customer scrub his hands and help put utensils together with napkins after he had paid his bill.  Another was paying for past meal bills that had been held for him.
• Even when the place is packed with people waiting for tables, the racing waitresses still manage a genuine smile and welcome.  And….
• The food is good and within most budgets since you can eat for under $10 even after adding on the tip.

Thank you, Denise, for showing the way to other small business owners.  You have a gem of a business, full of AgeEsteem.

*Denise’s Beachway Café, 7224 Manatee Ave. W, West Bradenton, Florida.

This is based entirely on my own personal experience.