Age: Ten Birthday Reflections.
By Karen and Erica
We both just had birthdays. We are surprised but happy to be in our 70s—even though gravity seems to exert a more powerful pull each year.
Here are some of our thoughts as we continue to move forward through time:
We are who we always were—just more so. Age is a distilling influence, not a transforming one. Clarifying.
We have done a lot during our decades. Age is not just a number—it bespeaks experience and accomplishment. Be proud.
We feared by the time we were in our 70s we would be spending our days eating bon bons and sipping martinis while we rocked in our chairs all day long. It’s turned out rather differently! Wheee!
We strive to stay in trim. We work out (because we think we have to) but really we like to walk—fast! Moving quickly shows we are going places. Perennials.
We don’t like wrinkles. Who does? But we are not defined by our wrinkles. Context.
We try to look like we still have what it takes. We think about our appearance. But we are not interested in looking younger. We aim for elegant. Cool.
We thought we were doing great things when we were younger. We were. But some of those great things have been rolled back in a most unforeseen way. Not done.
We want to live in the same world as younger people. We think they want us to be there, too. All of our lives, including since we retired, we have worked with people of different ages, and we want to keep doing that. Worldly.
We try to act in a manner that is respectful of others. But we don’t care that much what other people think about us. Liberating.
We started Lustre (in our 60s) to put retired career women, and older women generally, on the map. Many of you responded! Exhilarating.
