Last Friday I had a conversation with a friend about our mothers. "There were questions I never got to ask her," she said. "Me too," I said. We had experienced the slow death of our mothers to dementia. I had no idea that Mama would lose her ability to communicate. She really enjoyed conversations with … Continue reading Doing Things the Hard Way
life
The Wisdom of Aging Well: Happy Birthday Mama!
Yesterday would have been Mama's birthday. She was born in 1923 and lived to be 96. I think back on how she exemplified some of the habits that are known to help maintain vitality -- no matter your chronological years. Mama enjoyed learning new things. When she was in her sixties, she started taking painting … Continue reading The Wisdom of Aging Well: Happy Birthday Mama!
Preserving the Past: “The Black Snake Story”
Last February, I did a presentation at the Lee County Enrichment Center for a class on "Telling Your Life Story." My focus was on the process of writing my memoir. The participants shared about their projects that included delving into family history and collecting objects from their lives to share with their grandchildren. Listening to … Continue reading Preserving the Past: “The Black Snake Story”
Three Discoveries during Cancer Treatment: Remembering after 26 Years
Last Monday June 22 was twenty-six years since I heard my doctor say, "You have cancer." Nobody forgets that moment. After those words, you can't hear anything but the repeating thought, "I have cancer, I have cancer . . ." In the years that followed, each follow-up visit to the oncologist was accompanied by a … Continue reading Three Discoveries during Cancer Treatment: Remembering after 26 Years
Solo Journey: Brass Ring at Oak Bluffs
Recently, I celebrated 9 years since my first blog was posted on this site May 31, 2017. That entry was about the beginning of taking Solo Journeys with that first trip to Sedona, Arizona after breast cancer treatment. Since that time, I've written 515 more and many have been about the 18 journeys that followed. … Continue reading Solo Journey: Brass Ring at Oak Bluffs
Embracing New Skills: Lessons from a Single Woman
Today I was reminded of my progress as a single woman learning to take care of my house. When I went through divorce back in 2020, I moved from the house we'd owned to an apartment. That was a good transition place since I didn't have to maintain the property or continue with the yard … Continue reading Embracing New Skills: Lessons from a Single Woman
Answers to Prayer: The Synchronicity of Simple Things
Yesterday morning, I enjoyed sitting at my kitchen table, sipping my first cup of French Roast, and watching the interaction of the birds in my patio. I have a special fondness for the Eastern bluebirds, a couple who've taken up residence in my birdhouse and now have 3 eggs in the nest. The daddy is … Continue reading Answers to Prayer: The Synchronicity of Simple Things
Time to Travel: Changing Priorities
It's that time of year when folks are nailing down plans for the summer. My daughter-in-law, Emily is scheduling summer camps and family vacation--often what the mother does; I remember that phase. I signed up for a few days of "Grammy camp" to fill in my grandsons' vacancies. Meanwhile, people have started asking me if … Continue reading Time to Travel: Changing Priorities
Remembering Betty: A Life of Love and Legacy
Last Sunday evening, I lost a person who's been very important in my life, Betty. She was my Rosser cousin who was sixteen years older than me and from my earliest memories she's always been there. She had a brief illness and then died with her family surrounding her. While she was 86 years old, … Continue reading Remembering Betty: A Life of Love and Legacy
Finding Your Path: Letting Go of FOMO
This week I noticed some of the impact of being an older person. An over-the-counter med for allergies that has worked for years, and never resulted in disturbing side effects, briefly caused me to have a fast, irregular heart rhythm. I remembered back to November when I had an Upper Respiratory Infection. Previously, I would … Continue reading Finding Your Path: Letting Go of FOMO
Connie Rosser Riddle 