creative aging blog

46th Anniversary and Hoping for One More by Caren Beeman

I was deep asleep when a loud bang woke me, the bed shaking from the impact. I sat up and groggily, called out, “was that an earthquake?!” More awake, more alert I answered myself, “No, we’re in Kauai.” I turned towards my husband, expecting to see him sitting up but he was sound asleep. That is, until the second blow to our mattress. I had watched my husband kick his leg up, as if kicking a soccer ball, and then slamming it down on the mattress. This goalie kick woke him.

He sat up. “What the hell was that?”

“You…” Before I could finish, he got out of bed, mumbled, “restless legs,” and left the bedroom.

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The Joys of Vaccinating by Howard Leaman

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It’s been a year since pandemic isolation started, causing the end of last ski season. Skiing and teaching skiing have always been a joy and my passion, but this year has felt different. Added to the increasing traffic were long lift lines, skiing in masks (and goggle fog), limited inside warm-up opportunities, and much more hassle.

Hours spent in Little Cottonwood Canyon traffic has offered plenty of time to reflect and push the “pause” button. “Am I part of the problem?”

After Surviving the Depression, the Blitz and the Nazis, Writers Reflect on the Pandemic, by Amanda Holpuch

With the average age of 87, these writers recount other trying times and how they’ve gained perspective and resilience. Amanda Holpuch of The Guardian offers up their stories and how they are adapting to pandemic life and connecting on Zoom. A shout-out to Jill Meyer for sending me this uplifting article!

“Late at night, Peggy Strait sits at her computer and thinks about the dangers of living in New York city during a pandemic.

Then she remembers her life in 1937.

Making the Case for Acceptable Memory Loss by Michele Straube

Our memories fade, sometimes because we’re aging and sometimes because it’s better that way. The painful memories of childbirth and the sleep deprivation of the first few weeks/months of parenthood fade, else no-one would ever have a second (or third or fourth) child. Similarly, I now know from personal experience, the memories of parenting a new puppy fade.

"What if . . . " A Writing Response by Bob Bader

In an online writing class this summer, I’d given the following writing prompt, “What if . . . .” Participants had 10 minutes to write whatever came to mind. Here is Bob Bader’s response:

What if I were never born? The sun would still rise and set each day. The birds would still sing and the bees buzz. Flowers would still grow tall and give off sweet fragrances. Girls would still dance and boys, oh boys, would still be a pain to girls. That is, until the boys were older then the pain would be of a much different kind intermingled with sweet love.

Beneath the Sweater and the Skin by Jeanette Encinias

My dear friend, Jane, passed along this beautiful poem on aging which she found on Facebook. It’s written by Jeanette Encinias, a poet and book editor. It’s hard to believe that Jane and I met over forty years ago as awkward sophomores at college fraternity party . . . we’ve been friends, aging together, ever since.

Beneath the Sweater and the Skin

How many years of beauty do I have left?

she asks me.

How many more do you want?

Here. Here is 34. Here is 50.

How Journaling Can Help You in Hard Times By Kira M. Newman, Greater Good Magazine

If any of you have taken my classes, you know that I’m a huge fan of keeping a journal. Especially now, when there is so much unknown in the world, writing can help us sort through our thoughts and feelings. Writing allows us to unload all of the muck swirling around in our heads and transfer that onto the page. There are numerous benefits from this.

“In the past 30 years, hundreds of studies have uncovered the benefits of putting pen to paper with your deepest thoughts and feelings,” writes Kira M. Newman in Greater Good Magazine.

Silver Pen 2020 Writing Contest!

The Silver Pen 2020 Writing Contest is taking submissions. You can choose one of the two writing prompts, or if you prefer, write a personal essay of your choice:

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

• A turning point in my life was when . . .
• Once, when no one was looking I . . .
• Write a personal story of your choice.


ENTRY DEADLINE September 2, 2020

“This Is Me at 68”: Elders Reflect During Crisis by Yes! Magazine

As the world has sheltered in place over the past few months, there are have been so many great essays and articles written about our new reality. Yes! Magazine recently published a wonderful collection of short, insightful and poignant essays written by ten people over 60. Here are some “sneak peaks” of a few of them. I invite you to take a look!

Writing Prompt: “Write what you didn’t say . . .”

Grab your writing tool of choice and see where this thought takes you. Put away your inner critic and just start. The goal is to keep writing, so don't worry about grammar or even making sense. It's all about getting your uncensored thoughts onto the page. When you’re done you can hit “delete,” shred the page or keep it. But, I can guarantee this: you’ll feel a little lighter for saying what you’ve wanted to say.

Writing Through Grief Workshop Featured in The Park Record

A shout out to Scott Iwasaki of The Park Record for writing an article about my upcoming Writing Through Grief workshop in Park City.

“Someone in the throes of loss, whether it’s the death of a loved one, a sickness or a divorce, may feel a jumble of emotions,” says writing instructor Debbie Leaman.

To help people deal with these feelings, Leaman created Writing Through Grief, a six-week workshop that she will lead every Wednesday from Feb. 26 through April 1 at Jewish Family Services Park City Offices, 1960 Sidewinder Dr.

The nondenominational class is open to all writing levels, Leaman said.

I'm Going South . . . No Moving Van Required By Cathy Love

It started with the one-inch black chin hair I found. Yes, on my chin. It started on the chin bone but wrapped itself underneath the chin, almost in hiding or to save me from the horror of well, finding it. I mean, why stay married if your husband cannot identify these points of interest? Clearly his protective gene has aged out.

Dream, Dream, Dream . . . By Lois Maxson

Three young people, three different dreams, and one aging American tourist.

     I heave my carry-on into the overhead bin and prepare to settle into my seat, when I realize I now have a seat mate.  When I checked in online the night before, there was no one assigned to the window.  As I comment on this fact, the young man with clear azure blue eyes and a length of pale blonde hair sweeping across his face grins. “I’m here now, he says.  “Would you like the window seat?”

     “No,” I reply, “my cranky joints prefer the extra room the aisle gives me.” 

Studying Sea Snakes? Time to Call the ‘Fantastic Grandmothers’ by Annie Roth

“A group of snorkeling seniors has helped scientists collect data about greater sea snakes in New Caledonia.” New York Times, November 30, 2019

Many thanks to my cousin Betsy who sent me this wonderful article by Annie Roth in The New York Times. As Betsy said, “Some buoyant and creative aging!” Read on and you’ll agree.