Please Share 3 Things You Appreciate about Being Old

Posted by Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123, Nov 27 10:00am

It's Thanksgiving, so I'm looking at the positive. Some folks don't like the word "old" but I don't mind it. You can substitute "aging" if you prefer! I'm thrilled to be 71 and looking at 72. Due to serious health concerns in my youth I never expected to make it this far. So here goes--and I hope you can join in.

My Three Positive Things

1. I know what my ethics and beliefs are, and I'm no longer worried I might betray them because of outside pressure.
2. I can tell a good story based on life experience.
3. I'm less self critical. My mom told me that if she made a mistake she'd say "you're so clumsy" to herself. When she turned 80 she changed and told herself "you're doing great!"

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

The most dangerous vegetable is the avocado. Trying to remove the seed with a knife could be fatal to your fingers. Can you remove the seed with a spoon? I would like to think we old folks might do that, in our great wisdom.

REPLY
Profile picture for tatiana987 @tatiana987

The most dangerous vegetable is the avocado. Trying to remove the seed with a knife could be fatal to your fingers. Can you remove the seed with a spoon? I would like to think we old folks might do that, in our great wisdom.

Jump to this post

@tatiana987
Spoon.....yes

REPLY

Its been a tough year. While waiting for my tongue biopsy and most likely having a very painful brown recluse spider bite 2 days ago, I have great stuff too. I always try to stay in gratitude.
1. Habitat put in a walk-in shower last month.
2. Habitat gave me a new stove too (an embarrassment of riches.) But I have an oven again and 4 burners that work!
3. Josh a habitat changed the lint hose behind my dryer which was at fire hazard level. Changed burned out lightbulbs I would have been on a high ladder...um no. He also replaced the batteries in my smoke detectors. The smaller things are just as important if you have to hire someone to change a lightbulb and batteries. And that was just lsst month.

4 5, 6,...Breast biopsy was negative. I think long covid is gone. I feel really good! My hip pain that had me on crutches and wheelchair, was gone after 2 days on Adderall (crazy bit it can be a thing.) So I'm WALKING and selling wheelchair etc.

7, 8, 9, 20. I can walk. I'm leaving the house. I'm doing social thing. Starting a tshirt design business. I feel great. And wow to habitat right? If you need help, call them. For the largest stuff I was on the list for 3 years but I have a walk-in shower! Wowser. Oh, soon to be 71.

REPLY
Profile picture for scottbeammeup @scottbeammeup

I'm in my early 60s so not sure if that qualifies as "old" to people here, though it sure does to my nieces and nephews!

1. Not being afraid to ask for help. Used to have too much pride and NEVER reached out to anyone even when I should have.

2. Being more of an "open book." Letting people get to know the "real" me more than just a curated version of me.

3. Feeling music much more deeply. Used to just listen but now a lot of music moves me emotionally

Jump to this post

@scottbeammeup Same for all three for me.
I have said that one of the things I will miss when my time comes, I'm 83 and 2 months young, is the music. We all know how important music is in our lives....proven via those who 'live in facilities, such as assisted living, memory care facilities etc. .....they come 'alive' so to speak ......get up and dance, smile and show some of the deepest of emotions.
Barbara

REPLY

I agree with you above Plus I'm more comfortable with myself and my actions I realize we do the best we can

REPLY
Profile picture for gravity3 @gravity3

@gravity3 the best way to do it is use a sharp knife, making sure your other fingers are out of the way, cut vertically around the whole avocado then twist the two halves in opposite directions and pull them apart. One will have the seed in it. Strike it in the center with the knife, embedding the knife a little ways in, then just twist and it will come right out very cleanly!

REPLY

Staying up half the night and sleeping in the morning (which I attribute to being born at 7 am lol and struggled my whole life...but did it!)

Not needing anything anymore...I've got it all. Spent a lifetime collecting it all! And so glad I did with today's prices it would not be affordable. Somehow I had the foresight to know that way back then. I weave various cloth and have a multitude of looms, I crochet and still have a student. Last summer I tried my hand at mosaics. Purchased a multitude of books from the used website. So cheap and learned so much! Still look at clothes whimsically from all those years of dressing every day. Oh well. One less thing to worry about.

And the best is being home during the day with my pooch to watch the daily activities of our garden pond and flower gardens. You really miss that when you work 8 to 5.

Thanks for the opportunity to reflect and read what others have to say. I have been devasted this past year over losing my younger brother and having this forum is a nice way to connect with others. So thank you to all of us!

REPLY
Profile picture for tatiana987 @tatiana987

The most dangerous vegetable is the avocado. Trying to remove the seed with a knife could be fatal to your fingers. Can you remove the seed with a spoon? I would like to think we old folks might do that, in our great wisdom.

Jump to this post

@tatiana987
Definitely. Edge around the avocado pit with a spoon. Hold it over the garbage can and pop out the loosened seed with the spoon.

REPLY

Thanking God every day when I wake up for retirement..... No alarm clocks, suits and makeup, no bosses.

REPLY
Profile picture for kahki @kahki

Staying up half the night and sleeping in the morning (which I attribute to being born at 7 am lol and struggled my whole life...but did it!)

Not needing anything anymore...I've got it all. Spent a lifetime collecting it all! And so glad I did with today's prices it would not be affordable. Somehow I had the foresight to know that way back then. I weave various cloth and have a multitude of looms, I crochet and still have a student. Last summer I tried my hand at mosaics. Purchased a multitude of books from the used website. So cheap and learned so much! Still look at clothes whimsically from all those years of dressing every day. Oh well. One less thing to worry about.

And the best is being home during the day with my pooch to watch the daily activities of our garden pond and flower gardens. You really miss that when you work 8 to 5.

Thanks for the opportunity to reflect and read what others have to say. I have been devasted this past year over losing my younger brother and having this forum is a nice way to connect with others. So thank you to all of us!

Jump to this post

@kahki I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your younger brother. As the oldest of four, I can imagine how heart breaking that must be. I loved your report. It has a lot of vitality and creativity. A garden pond sounds delightful. This forum really helps me, too.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.