Our Life Scholars Course is giving me a peek around the corner of the various ways I am to age. Within our readings I am in the room with our subjects, off to side listening as they make sense of their environment. We get to see Helen which happens to be my mothers name, live out her years in a care facility. Helen is the lucky one in this story who is adored by her daughter and boyfriend Howie. The only sad thing to me is that she has to live in a care facility. That seems to me is a loss of control over your life. That is too scary for me. I am hoping I can live in my own home and just as important, be self sufficient before I depart this planet. As of now I am examining what I need to change in myself to live a good healthy life as I age. The aches and cracking joints I want to take care of and stave off any further decline in them the best I can. Reading about Helen made me think of my mother because they share the same name. A name that is not as widely put in use as it once was. Today is actually my mothers birthday. She died of breast cancer when I was 13 years old. I want to remember mom more so I will put this picture where I can see it more. I wonder if my daughter will do the same after I am dearly departed. Helen is on the right, Her mother my grandmother Rose is in the middle, and my Aunt Fran who raised me is on left. This was taken in Palm Beach, Florida, in the 1950's. I like to think of this photo as the Three Graces.
Oprah opens with the statement "the older you get the harder it is to believe the number you are because it still feels like you always felt." I too feel like I have always felt. She turns 68 this week. And when she was younger she felt that 68 wasn't just old it was ancient! But she says now "this is what I know it's just a marker, Ive been around the sun 68 times and WE get to determine what that number means for each of us." I am in sync with Oprah and what this 65 marker means to me is to look for the best everyday. Bring as much light into my personal world so I can shine and share. Stay open to new possibilities and the delights ahead! This photo is of one of my delights to OWN my own home, Its me standing in front of the home I picked out- its has ocean views of Encinitas and its on my vision board- Ya'll come on in!
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Tara MessierTara Messier is an Urban Planning major and is interested in pursuing a minor in Archeology. She is from Archives
March 2022
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