Almost two weeks ago I decided that I would document at least for a year what living life at 80 would be like. I know that it is a privilege to reach this age and that we all age differently. I wanted to share what my version of being 80 looks and feels like. I think that the title of my blog is perfect for what I will be writing about this year for this is a very Special Moment in Time that I hope to embrace and enjoy to the fullest.
It has not even been two weeks since I turned 80 but the days and nights and weeks seem to go quicker every year so I thought I better get started writing or before I know it I will be turning 81. As I wrote on Facebook, I am facing this new decade with excitement as well as curiosity about what adventures are just around the corner. What I didn’t explain was that aging has always been something I dreaded. I had a mother who lived life to the fullest but who never wanted to get old and that was instilled in me from a very young age. About three years ago I did a deep dive into ageism and found that it is real. I decided the first person’s attitude I needed to change was mine. I had to look at getting older as something to be proud of rather than something to hide. I stopped thinking it was the beginning of the end but rather the start of something new. I stopped thinking that certain things would change based solely on the number of years I lived.
I remember when I began teaching at age 35. I was sure I would retire at age 60. I used to laugh that I would be too old to walk down the halls and keep up with the kids. When I reached 60 I realized that nothing was further from the truth. I did retire but that was not the reason. I was hired as a principal to open a charter school. I retired when I realized that my vision for the school did not match that of the management company. It had nothing to do with my age.
In my seventies I learned to live a full life as a widow, ran for Georgia State House of Representatives, was Chair of the County Democratic Party, and so much more. At 60 I could never have predicted what life would look or feel like at 70 so now beginning my 80th year I am not going predict what life will bring or let ageism set any limitations on what I can or cannot do. I have many friends of all ages and I hope that my posts will remind them not to let society or their age limit how they think or what they can accomplish. We are never too young or too old to accomplish great things that can change both our own life and the lives of others.
This will not be a political blog but politics and what is happening in our country will be part of what I will write about. We are living in a difficult time. I remember protesting during the Vietnam war and marching for Civil Rights. Although there were periods during my life when I was not involved in politics, this will not be one of them. I believe we must stand up for what we believe in and what is right. To ignore what is happening all around us is not something I can do. I think we all have special gifts and talents and we can and should use them to help those in need. I received the following message from Maria Shriver this morning. She wrote, “Let us remember to lead with love over fear, with facts over lies, and with compassion over judgment.” I think that is very good advice that I will carry with me over the days to come.
I hope that you have a very productive and happy week. And remember:
When you use your gifts and talents, magic happens. Let the magic begin!
Ginny
It has not even been two weeks since I turned 80 but the days and nights and weeks seem to go quicker every year so I thought I better get started writing or before I know it I will be turning 81. As I wrote on Facebook, I am facing this new decade with excitement as well as curiosity about what adventures are just around the corner. What I didn’t explain was that aging has always been something I dreaded. I had a mother who lived life to the fullest but who never wanted to get old and that was instilled in me from a very young age. About three years ago I did a deep dive into ageism and found that it is real. I decided the first person’s attitude I needed to change was mine. I had to look at getting older as something to be proud of rather than something to hide. I stopped thinking it was the beginning of the end but rather the start of something new. I stopped thinking that certain things would change based solely on the number of years I lived.
I remember when I began teaching at age 35. I was sure I would retire at age 60. I used to laugh that I would be too old to walk down the halls and keep up with the kids. When I reached 60 I realized that nothing was further from the truth. I did retire but that was not the reason. I was hired as a principal to open a charter school. I retired when I realized that my vision for the school did not match that of the management company. It had nothing to do with my age.
In my seventies I learned to live a full life as a widow, ran for Georgia State House of Representatives, was Chair of the County Democratic Party, and so much more. At 60 I could never have predicted what life would look or feel like at 70 so now beginning my 80th year I am not going predict what life will bring or let ageism set any limitations on what I can or cannot do. I have many friends of all ages and I hope that my posts will remind them not to let society or their age limit how they think or what they can accomplish. We are never too young or too old to accomplish great things that can change both our own life and the lives of others.
This will not be a political blog but politics and what is happening in our country will be part of what I will write about. We are living in a difficult time. I remember protesting during the Vietnam war and marching for Civil Rights. Although there were periods during my life when I was not involved in politics, this will not be one of them. I believe we must stand up for what we believe in and what is right. To ignore what is happening all around us is not something I can do. I think we all have special gifts and talents and we can and should use them to help those in need. I received the following message from Maria Shriver this morning. She wrote, “Let us remember to lead with love over fear, with facts over lies, and with compassion over judgment.” I think that is very good advice that I will carry with me over the days to come.
I hope that you have a very productive and happy week. And remember:
When you use your gifts and talents, magic happens. Let the magic begin!
Ginny
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