My vintage dress collection is still very small, but I’m proud of it nonetheless. I still remember twirling around way too many times in a 1950s Candi Jones pink floral dress after finding it at the thrift shop, absolutely filled with glee (shown in picture). I also know now that I absolutely cannot let go of my 1970s prairie denim skirt, which goes well with pretty much everything from a casual UCSD hoodie, a Forever 21 crop top, or even a nice knit cardigan. I just love how these dresses are meant for dancing, to make you sway side by side, just so you can feel the fabric swish past. And I know that the previous owners of these pieces must’ve felt the same way. I love knowing that. I love knowing that somewhere, in somebody else’s timeline, they too, also felt dolled up in these dresses. It’s a shared experience. That’s why I love listening to old people talk about their past, nodding along as they describe their first heartbreak, their first time holding a baby, their wedding, and more. I know that I’ll get to that chapter of life one day and experience those same feelings, but for now, I get to just listen and in a way, time travel. In this class, I get to talk with others who understand the importance of this shared experience. The book we talk about together encourages those who read it to pursue this intergenerational connection. Leland’s book focuses on the elderly, which in turn helps us focus on our own core values and think about what we want to prioritize in life as the seasons change. Some of my favorite discussion questions created by my peers have become questions I ask myself constantly now, whether it’s questioning what I think MY definition of successful aging will look like, or if the gero-punk mentality is right for me. Some questions have led me to answers that demanded immediate action such as developing healthy relationships with others, both platonic and romantic, because of the studies that showed the importance of relationships in aging. I’m not sure if others feel the same way I do about the shared experience, but I do look forward to hearing from my peers about what they learned from their EP interviews and I’m excited to discuss more about Leland’s book with my classmates! Maybe somebody out there might also like vintage dresses too, who knows?
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Miyu NakajimaMiyu Nakajima is a International Business major with a minor in Supply Chain. She is from San Jose, CA Archives
March 2022
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