Not to mention the constant ads that we're bombarded with on TV for "anti-aging" creams that will banish your wrinkles forever! When was it decided that wrinkles are bad? I've had wrinkles for quite a while now, and am too cheap and lazy to use all those creams, or to dye my hair.
Great piece Rosana. As for me, I'm trying to pivot back to something I did a long time ago. I've always known I was a writer. There were just many years I wasn't being paid for it. Making that transition at my age is difficult. But it's what I need to feel like the rest of my life has some meaning.
Thanks, Adam! I know what you mean about wanting the rest of life to have meaning. The older we get, the more we want to make the most of the time we have left. Best wishes to you!!
Youth is wasted on the young. Some old geezer said that, and it might as well have been me. I don't mean to sour on your fine wine of a post, because it is a a drink with much character and grace. Aging does have its opportunities, I suppose. But I'd trade it all for another shot, if I could.
And now a brief lyric from Bob Dylan in "Highlands" (one of his best songs on the subject). Worth a search on your favorite music streaming! It's not a downer! Really.
Well my heart's in The Highlands wherever I roam
That's where I'll be when I get called home
...
Feel like I'm driftin', driftin' from scene to scene
I'm wonderin' what in the devil could it all possibly mean
...
I see people in the park, forgettin' their troubles and woes
They're drinkin' and dancin', wearin' bright colored clothes
All the young men with the young women lookin' so good
Well, I'd trade places with any of 'em, in a minute if I could...
Sure, it might be fun to be young again knowing what we know now — but that's not possible. We also have different responsibilities and expectations when we're young, and it can be freeing to shed those as we age! Plus, I know you're happier now! ;-)
Wonderful article Rosana! Nothing to fear about age but your thoughts about it. I look in the mirror and I still look as if I was in my 30s, feeling like I've been blessed by mother nature. Then I look at a photo of me and I look as if I've been cursed by father time! Age should not stop us from doing something we want to do, getting out of our comfort zones is very helpful for the mind and the soul. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks, Antonio! Ha, I don't see that when I look in the mirror! But when I get together with my high school friends (one of whom I've been friends with since we were six), they look exactly the same to me as always. Then I see old photos of us and realize, wow, we've changed! Same experience you have, lol. What are Mother Nature and Father Time getting up to? You should do a bit about that, if you haven't yet!
Thank you for this inspiring article! And yes, it certainly seems that this Substack newsletter is your calling! I always learn something new, feel inspired, and laugh out loud at least once when reading your articles. Looking forward to reading more!
Not to mention the constant ads that we're bombarded with on TV for "anti-aging" creams that will banish your wrinkles forever! When was it decided that wrinkles are bad? I've had wrinkles for quite a while now, and am too cheap and lazy to use all those creams, or to dye my hair.
Yes! I'm also too cheap and lazy, and I learned something new after writing this: The craze for collagen, which is used in many anti-aging products, is now linked to Brazilian deforestation: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/06/collagen-linked-brazilian-deforestation. Yet another reason not to cave to the anti-aging pressure!
You (possibly) have no idea how badly I needed to read this today. Thank you!
Just happened to see this article: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3923855-2023-is-shaping-up-to-be-the-year-of-the-50-woman/
That is the best comment I can possibly get. Thanks so much for reading!
YES!!!!!!
Harriet Doerr wrote Stones for Ibarra at age 75!
Cool! And I see that was her first book. I haven't read it, should I?
Great piece Rosana. As for me, I'm trying to pivot back to something I did a long time ago. I've always known I was a writer. There were just many years I wasn't being paid for it. Making that transition at my age is difficult. But it's what I need to feel like the rest of my life has some meaning.
Thanks, Adam! I know what you mean about wanting the rest of life to have meaning. The older we get, the more we want to make the most of the time we have left. Best wishes to you!!
Youth is wasted on the young. Some old geezer said that, and it might as well have been me. I don't mean to sour on your fine wine of a post, because it is a a drink with much character and grace. Aging does have its opportunities, I suppose. But I'd trade it all for another shot, if I could.
And now a brief lyric from Bob Dylan in "Highlands" (one of his best songs on the subject). Worth a search on your favorite music streaming! It's not a downer! Really.
Well my heart's in The Highlands wherever I roam
That's where I'll be when I get called home
...
Feel like I'm driftin', driftin' from scene to scene
I'm wonderin' what in the devil could it all possibly mean
...
I see people in the park, forgettin' their troubles and woes
They're drinkin' and dancin', wearin' bright colored clothes
All the young men with the young women lookin' so good
Well, I'd trade places with any of 'em, in a minute if I could...
Sure, it might be fun to be young again knowing what we know now — but that's not possible. We also have different responsibilities and expectations when we're young, and it can be freeing to shed those as we age! Plus, I know you're happier now! ;-)
Wonderful article Rosana! Nothing to fear about age but your thoughts about it. I look in the mirror and I still look as if I was in my 30s, feeling like I've been blessed by mother nature. Then I look at a photo of me and I look as if I've been cursed by father time! Age should not stop us from doing something we want to do, getting out of our comfort zones is very helpful for the mind and the soul. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks, Antonio! Ha, I don't see that when I look in the mirror! But when I get together with my high school friends (one of whom I've been friends with since we were six), they look exactly the same to me as always. Then I see old photos of us and realize, wow, we've changed! Same experience you have, lol. What are Mother Nature and Father Time getting up to? You should do a bit about that, if you haven't yet!
Hi Rosana, yes, I'm working on it.
Thank you for this inspiring article! And yes, it certainly seems that this Substack newsletter is your calling! I always learn something new, feel inspired, and laugh out loud at least once when reading your articles. Looking forward to reading more!
Thank you so much, Elaine!! I may have to write a post about writing one of these days. ;-)