On this Fourth, I am feeling pretty damn good! I turned eighty a month ago, had a huge, celebratory party, and now I am in West Hollywood, preparing to go to the Bowl for a concert and fireworks. On June 25, I left Philadelphia and traveled to Pine, Arizona via Phoenix, spent a relaxing week with my “little brother”–he’s a mere seventy-seven–and then came on to spend a few days with my youngest daughter. I was a bit threatened by the travel situation, but all went well–and I am coping quite nicely with the challenges of strange beds, showers, steps, foods and what have you. Here’s to continuing independence. I may not be ready to climb any mountains at this point, but I’ve read two books and my garden (yes, i can still do that!) awaits me on my return. Then back to work–supervising student teachers when school bells ring in the fall.
Feeling Pretty Damn Good by Mary Silverstein
July 4, 2012 by ElderChicks
Well, it’s the fourth, and I am sad to say how dependent upon certain things I am – air conditioning, electricity, electronics. When you are without power for four days, it is hard to miss how dependent we have become. The good news – I have a wonderful set of friends (and also a brother and sister-in-law) who were willing to open their homes to me. The weather was unprecedented. I”ve never seen anything like it, and everyone in the area seemed to treat each other with friendship and respect. Each intersection that was missing the lights became four-way stops. Neighbors with electricity opened thier homes to those without. I did my laundry at a friend’s home yesterday/
On this independence day I realize that I am dependent – upon my friends and family for thier love and affection.
Mary Lou, this sounds like a great way to turn eighty.