How do you deal with aging?

I believe that Art Linklater wrote that book. It came out in the 70s or 80s. I bought it for my mother at the time.

janeaddams,
What a great post! Every word resonated with me.
I am one of those therapists and about a third of my practice is Boomers. I think they appreciate having a 71 year old listening to their concerns.
Moods will darken, as you said, and that’s just part of it.
When I complain about back pain or feeling neglected by one of our kids, my husband will sing the “Circle of Life” song from The Lion King. He continues to think that this is funny.
I am not religious and will not say that I’m spiritual,
either. Years ago, at my first husband’s memorial service, the rabbi opened the eulogy by saying,”Everything that lives, dies.” This had a profound effect on me. In that moment, I felt at one with every living thing. Friends, my dog, trees, birds, fungi - everything.
This has really sustained me.

I'm an 82 year old widow. I finished chemo for cancer 3 years ago. My oncologist says it shouln't come back. I recently hurt my hip. The pain was so bad it made me scream and I fell. I ended up in the emergency room.I'm waiting for an appointment to get a steroid injection in it; who knows when I'll get an appointment. Inspite of 3 months of pain, is improving with lots of help from me with braces and so forth.
Anyway, despite all this I'm heading off to another state to visit a boyfriend from the 8th grade. We visited a few months ago, too.
I'm happy . My best f riends are closer to 90 and they are still trucking on with good, happy lives.
You will probably live a long time.
I'm spritual, not religious.

You sound absolutely amazing! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂 I absolutely loved reading that you have a boyfriend whom you first met in 8th grade. You're certainly living life to the fullest in spite of the challenges you've gone through which is really wonderful. Enjoy your visit to your 8th grade boyfriend's place!

Thank you. We have kept in touch since 1955. I married my husband at 18. We were married for 58 years until he died of Parkinsons. My old boyfriend kept in touch by letter or phone once a year,some times talking to my husband and son.
The old feelings can come back after all those years and the visits are fun despite the aches and pains.

This all sounds so wonderful! What a delight that you were able to stay in touch and now your feelings have been rekindled. This would make a great movie! 🙂

Susan, thanks for that. Just catching up here... FYI, I'm a social worker/therapist too, and agree that being old (even older than you!) is helpful in working with the more mature crowd. BTW, your husband sounds like a scream; mine is more of the quietly supportive type. Lucky us!

I am a 70ish person, and recently completed my yearly exam for cancer. I had my bladder and other organs removed 2 1/2 year ago and although limited in some of my activities, I try to live every day as gift. I share many of the same responses above, have good days and bad at times. Living life.

Your attitude is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

I am an 80-year-old female, living alone in a rural area of Montana. I am a breast cancer survivor (10+ years), and trying to remain as active as my aging body will allow. My current health is excellent (just had a complete workup) and I believe my mental health is good. I am 4 months alcohol-free. My goal is to remain independent in my own home, that I absolutely love!, until I die. In order to achieve that goal I must remain healthy, both mentally and physically. It is discussion groups such as this that help me remain mentally healthy and active. Thank you, Mayo Clinic!!