I spent the last few years trying to hide my neck in meetings and in restaurants, and being artful (translation: lying) about my age. This year I decided to embrace my years and be happy for the experiences and whatever wisdom the world has given me as I look to what comes next. (However, I’ll keep coloring my hair – even if I have to use shoe polish – until I’m carried out of the house feet first.)
Part of my reluctance to reveal my age is because I chose a career in Public Relations. While there are many professions where age is irrelevant, and even considered an asset, PR generally isn’t one of them.
But…
Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until she was 78. At 73, Sojourner Truth was still trying to get land grants for former slaves. Carol Channing performed into her 90s. Illustrator Tasha Tudor worked into her late 80s. Jane Goodall, 85 years old, still travels to advocate for chimpanzees and the environment.
So we’re not young anymore. Now in our 6th decades and beyond, maybe we need help seeing, hearing, eating, walking. Maybe we have joints younger than our teeth, and teeth younger than our pets. Maybe we don’t drive at night. Maybe we miss our flip phones and freeze when faced with new technology (maybe an Amazon Fire TV stick collected dust until a Millennial showed us how to use it).
But we are here, and good for us. As we move through our lives my hope is that we’re able to stay curious and engaged. That we can expand our reach. What we don’t know we can learn. What we learn we can share. We can figure out healthcare, technology, ride sharing, online dating, fashion, beauty and more – together.
And remember: Once we reach our 60s we’re old enough to know better – but still young enough to get away with it!
XO Brenda
Love your random thoughts page. We need this and your wise and funny words! Thank you.
Thank you so much! XO
Love your photo, Brenda! And you’re so right. I’ve always believed let the young ones have their due. We had ours. And now, well, as you say, we’re here so let’s make the most of it at our age. And accept the limitations – to an extent – but stay alert and willing to explore! Hats off to you for starting this blog and expanding your horizons!
Beautifully said as always! Hope you’re staying well. XO
Thank you for your upbeat and candid thoughts, Brenda. We are the same woman!
Your website (like your pithy comments) is remarkable, fascinating and FUN.
Keep those comforting thoughts coming!
Thank you so much, so happy you like it! XO
You’re ageless and beautiful!
Aww. Spoken by a true friend. Thank you for that sweet fib xo
Good for you, Brenda. Inspiring! I can see a reluctance career-wise to reveal your age. For me, I am an actor. There are few roles for older folks when even theatre casting calls will ask for 30 year old grandmothers! Casting directors and film directors cannot ask adults to list their age. I am whatever age you think I am and do I fit the role you want me to play. I am the one to determine if it makes any sense or not for me to apply for a role in which I would play the wife of a 50 year old man. I can’t misrepresent who I am with an old photo. I can be a gray haired old woman (and cease to color my hair) but there are lots of them locally and few AARP and medicare commercials to compete in. People love my red hair and it puts me into a smaller group. So, I have less opportunities these days but I’m still having fun!
I adore your red hair and I adore you. Thank you for this incredibly insightful comment Patrice! XO
Congratulations you have made to the mature and the intelligent. You have always been happy and smiling. You have always loved life. Now you can do it with experience and be proud that you have made others smile with you. God bless you and your family with many more years of good health and peace. Stay safe.????
Thank you Cousin Laura! You’re so sweet. And congratulations on your family’s wonderful addition! XO
Beautifully written Brenda, and thank you my dear friend Sheila for sharing. Let us embrace our age, wrinkles and gray hairs along with our knowledge, wisdom, experience and desire to continue “living” without being invisible.
Evelyn, thank you very much! Your words are wise and on point. XO
Brenda, it was delightful to read your blog. I especially appreciated words of humor, which indeed do resonate that you have great insight. The neck.. oh, yes, my nemesis, but no complaints, I do love scarves. I lost my hair due to a medical condition and it gave me a surprise of being snowy white. Honestly, great glasses and earrings went along way. The issue: age discrimination. The same businesses saw me much older, honked horns therefore providing extra sensitivity to never judge. Back to Auburn, I still laugh, as all you say is true especially about the Amazon Fire and technology. I’m going to sign up for your newsletter. The world needs a humor of sorts and wisdom. Xo Vicki, professional painter
Vicki you are amazing, you are a warrior queen. Thank you for sharing. You can sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the home page, but I signed you up since you included your email address in your message. Sending many hugs XO Brenda
Brenda, I love this! Here’s to more wisdom from you for all of us “women of an indiscriminate age”.
Bonnie thank you so much for visiting and for your kind words! Welcome to the Bafter60 family! XO Brenda