Getting Older means it Gets Easier - NOT!!

Older is easier – NOT!! - But it can be fun.....

Rae Hamilton


Every now and then the words of the geriologist assigned to my dementia ridden Mother sound in my ears – “Growing old is not for the faint-hearted”. As my mother lived to 94, I guess I can expect the same longevity.
I’ve pondered on this statement many times as I have enjoyed the wisdom and determination that each decade brings.  However, talking with Geraldine, we both whole-heartedly agree we would rather be the age we are now if it weren’t for the physical degeneration that accompanies the march of time.  Short of covering all the mirrors in the house and not entering changing rooms we tell ourselves we don’t feel any different to the 17 year olds that we were when we met.  Basically we have the same personalities with the added advantage of knowing what we now know.

We realise the pleasure that can be taken from living in the moment simply interacting with a beloved grandchild or sharing a visit to a cafe with a treasured friend.  All entirely guilt-free might I add.  We feel we’ve earned these simple pleasures and are happy to forgo the money making activities or the pressure of immediate family responsibilities.

What I miss most though is the forward looking drive which accompanies life in ones 30’s and 40’s.  Without a doubt I found the pressures of running a business and a family very hard at times but there was always something on the horizon as a potential reward.  What I really am not looking forward to is living on memories rather than creating them daily. What then are the alternatives?

A recent article on Life Goes Strong – ‘Happy 50th Birthday – Poof You’re invisible’ asked the question of how women feel when they are no longer visible upon entering a room.  One such woman whose birthday it was, had enjoyed being immediately visible as a striking redhead until she turned 50.  The question was asked – where to from here or what takes the place of that attention?

After reading dissertations on the web and taking note of how other women are staying engaged I am so happy to report that it seems the less seriously one takes oneself the more fun and pleasure there is to be had  Take the Duchess of Alba.  Now we are talking about a recently wed 85 year old who  has married a man 24years her junior,  happily snapped on her honeymoon in a two piece enjoying the warm waters of the Med.  Not to mention entertaining the waiting crowds at her wedding with an impromptu flamenco. 



Closer to home my vivacious 60plus sister sent me a youtube link of her leading vocals at a 200 strong ukulele gig at a gorgeous gallery in Chippendale, Sydney.  And now she informs me she has added a banjo to her array of instruments.  Go Rhonda I say who tells me she has just recorded her first song at 65.


For the finale, I will have to give the prize to one of our founding members, Judith, who shows her skills on youtube folding a fitted sheet with real skill, straight from the washing line,  to the strains of a tango.  This video can only be viewed on a pc as somehow her photographer didn’t make it apple compatible. 
I guess the answer for  Geraldine and I is to continue to add many enjoyable new escapades to our journey with this website.  And I must say that the more frivolous the suggestion of where to next, the more they appeal. Last year the St Clair Vineyard half marathon, this year following Ines de la Fressange’s trail in Paris.  Still on the bucket list is walking the New York Marathon and closer to home we have a goal of working full time on this website until we have to have the font so large that we can’t get enough words on the screen to read coherently.

I would love to hear ideas and experiences from others in the comment section following this article.  We are also inviting articles or regular blogs from contributors to give inspirations to others. After all we are so used to being told of bloggers who tell all in great details about pregnancy, weddings and every other minute detail of their lives, why not hear from those who are doing an encore act.  If you would like to become a contributor simply  click the following words.

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