Good for you Janice! I've been dealing with health issues and pain and I keep pushing myself to remain as active as I can. I want to walk 5 miles at Yosemite when I am 85. Thank you for inspiring.
Hope you are able to resolve the health issues and pain, Pamela. I went through a scare myself recently, but everything turned out to be OK. At my age, I wondered if I was sinking into the final years of decline, but it turned out to be nothing serious.
I love this so much! You continue to peel off the layers of unknowing to gain a clearer, and wider, perspective. I hope to do this in my daily life, thanks for the inspiration Janice.
Love this, Janice! Good for you! I especially liked, "accept the help of family and friends without feeling guilty about it." Coming from a daughter with a mother that struggles not to feel guilty with needing help - you are giving your kids a gift by accepting their gifts of help when needed!
I’m saving this article to re-read in the future. I’m 52 and still very active, but I am already seeing glimpses of my limitations. I don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder to my second floor gutters anymore, for example. I am generally a self-accepting person, but I think I might struggle with a gradual decline of independence.
Hi Jen, I really felt that loss when I voluntarily gave up driving. I've never liked to drive, I've had eye surgery for a detached retina and shouldn't drive, the decision was mine - and yet I struggle with it.
What a fine essay, Janice. I’m 75 and have just recently experienced a great limitation in my stamina, strength, and overall mobility. I’m waiting for an appointment with a Rheumatologist to explore that angle. Enjoying outdoor recreation is what I did all my life and what I expected I’d continue doing. If that isn’t a reasonable expectation I’ll be in search of vicarious experiences with Nature. May your adventures continue to challenge, inspire, and sustain you well beyond today.
Only one trip to Utah and I've always wanted to return. A cathedral and a mountain had to open your spirit! Back from a trip to see my 100yo mother in law, 3 days hanging in a nursing home. The 2 day or 14 hours drive home I told myself to move more and seek the positive. That's terrific you hiked, had to be excelerating! You're an inspiration!
Hi CJ, Thank you. The hike was exhilarating!!! It's almost like I had to do it for some reason. The Temple was indescribable in terms of the physical beauty but also in the feeling of peace and healing I felt inside the building.
Hi Jill, Than you so much. Being 85 and what I thought that entailed was depressing. But understanding that I could still do those things and that others were willing to help me was freeing.
Proud of you Janice, you have been a great role model through this transition to being a widow. Glad you are on a good path and showing others the way.
Hi Cali, That has been one of the hardest challenges for me - allowing myself to ask for and accept help from others, and not feeling guilty for bothering others and a failure because I couldn't do it on my own.
Terrific, Janice! The following is worth its weight in gold, "I can do more than I thought, but it does require taking better care of myself as I age." Good maxim for all of us octogenarians! Self-care is a high priority and the care and help from others are added benefits. As is often mentioned in the research on aging, toward the end, it's all about the quality of our lives, including relationships and meaningful connections.
Doubt it was Lincoln who said it but for what it's worth, "It's not how many years in our life, it's how much life in our years that counts." Something like that!
Very inspiring! I'm 60 and very active yet, but already notice subtle changes in ability. My neurological condition reminds me that I already need extra help with certain tasks. But you give me hope to age better than I believe I can!
Hi Nancy, I've been surprised to find that I can do more than I thought and the literature said I could. It does need self-care and help from others but I want to think it can be done.
You might wonder how two trips in ten days could provide a step forward in my pursuit of acceptance - but they did.
Good for you Janice! I've been dealing with health issues and pain and I keep pushing myself to remain as active as I can. I want to walk 5 miles at Yosemite when I am 85. Thank you for inspiring.
Hope you are able to resolve the health issues and pain, Pamela. I went through a scare myself recently, but everything turned out to be OK. At my age, I wondered if I was sinking into the final years of decline, but it turned out to be nothing serious.
This read made my day. You showed me I have to push past what appear to be obstacles, do what I can, and keep moving forward. I love this one, Janice.
I love this so much! You continue to peel off the layers of unknowing to gain a clearer, and wider, perspective. I hope to do this in my daily life, thanks for the inspiration Janice.
Hi Donna, I have no doubt that is exactly what you do based on your posts.
Thank you!
its good to get out and experience life
Beautiful photography.
Love this, Janice! Good for you! I especially liked, "accept the help of family and friends without feeling guilty about it." Coming from a daughter with a mother that struggles not to feel guilty with needing help - you are giving your kids a gift by accepting their gifts of help when needed!
I’m saving this article to re-read in the future. I’m 52 and still very active, but I am already seeing glimpses of my limitations. I don’t feel comfortable climbing a ladder to my second floor gutters anymore, for example. I am generally a self-accepting person, but I think I might struggle with a gradual decline of independence.
Hi Jen, I really felt that loss when I voluntarily gave up driving. I've never liked to drive, I've had eye surgery for a detached retina and shouldn't drive, the decision was mine - and yet I struggle with it.
What a fine essay, Janice. I’m 75 and have just recently experienced a great limitation in my stamina, strength, and overall mobility. I’m waiting for an appointment with a Rheumatologist to explore that angle. Enjoying outdoor recreation is what I did all my life and what I expected I’d continue doing. If that isn’t a reasonable expectation I’ll be in search of vicarious experiences with Nature. May your adventures continue to challenge, inspire, and sustain you well beyond today.
Only one trip to Utah and I've always wanted to return. A cathedral and a mountain had to open your spirit! Back from a trip to see my 100yo mother in law, 3 days hanging in a nursing home. The 2 day or 14 hours drive home I told myself to move more and seek the positive. That's terrific you hiked, had to be excelerating! You're an inspiration!
Hi CJ, Thank you. The hike was exhilarating!!! It's almost like I had to do it for some reason. The Temple was indescribable in terms of the physical beauty but also in the feeling of peace and healing I felt inside the building.
Short and simple, Janice: You rock! You make us who are a tad bit younger aim to be you someday :)
Hi Jill, Than you so much. Being 85 and what I thought that entailed was depressing. But understanding that I could still do those things and that others were willing to help me was freeing.
Proud of you Janice, you have been a great role model through this transition to being a widow. Glad you are on a good path and showing others the way.
Hi Jo, That's the bottom line of the newsletter - going from wife to single older woman who didn't have a clue how I would/could survive.
Well done you. I am also learning to ask for and accept help from others
Hi Cali, That has been one of the hardest challenges for me - allowing myself to ask for and accept help from others, and not feeling guilty for bothering others and a failure because I couldn't do it on my own.
I think getting used to asking is a big hurdle. Does it get easier when you get through the first few times?
I'm not sure. I'm still in those first few times!
Terrific, Janice! The following is worth its weight in gold, "I can do more than I thought, but it does require taking better care of myself as I age." Good maxim for all of us octogenarians! Self-care is a high priority and the care and help from others are added benefits. As is often mentioned in the research on aging, toward the end, it's all about the quality of our lives, including relationships and meaningful connections.
Hi Gary, I do agree, it is about the quality of life rather than the quantity of it - which is a very important distinction.
Doubt it was Lincoln who said it but for what it's worth, "It's not how many years in our life, it's how much life in our years that counts." Something like that!
Whoever said it was a wise person, wasn't he or she?
Very inspiring! I'm 60 and very active yet, but already notice subtle changes in ability. My neurological condition reminds me that I already need extra help with certain tasks. But you give me hope to age better than I believe I can!
Hi Nancy, I've been surprised to find that I can do more than I thought and the literature said I could. It does need self-care and help from others but I want to think it can be done.
You are definitely proving that it's possible! 🙌
Man! You are really practicing what you preach, Janice. That in itself is an inspiration for us all. Determination rules!
Hi Sharron, I'm trying - it's all about me finding a way through this change in my life.