It was so good to find this page. We older women seem to be ignored and passed over. So many individuals seem to find us unimportant so we are simply ignored.
Most of us are fortunate and have children and grandchildren. That gives us a connection to our society. However, I belong to that true minority of no children or grandchildren. Though married over 30 years we have no offspring. This makes us a real minority.The older I become the more I miss not having children. But that is life. Not everyone is blessed with children. This does not make me dislike or not appreciate young people, quite the opposite! And I am so tired of people assuming I do not like youngsters. I spent most of my 20’s working with teenagers, both as a volunteer and as a paid childcare (teens) worker. I truly miss not being around young people on a regular basis.
My husband and I are happily retired and very blessed to be living in a wonderful community in New England. We are Floridians who were tired of living in such a dangerous situation. We watched our beloved state (I am 6th generation Floridian) degenerate into a very unpleasant place to live. Fortunately we had friends who invited us to visit New England. We would never return to Florida. This is home. We are so blessed to be here. And no, we do not mind the snow! We love it!
ElderChicks 
Hi,
As someone who is alone as well, and considering a move to Florida, I was a bit startled at the word “dangerous “, In what respect,if I may ask?
Thank you,
Adele Crivaro
Hello from sunny Orlando , Florida ! I am a retired ex Brit, now American, I have lived in Florida since 1978. yes the hurricanes were scary but the people are all as wonderful as anywhere else. There is no perfect place to live, there are good and bad everywhere. We were all created the same and we will all end up the same ! I also am blessed to have my family around me. Still have a sister in UK. If, after reading my small message, you would like to chat further, this is my facebook space 🙂
I can understand your thoughts concerning being around young people. I am a retired elementary teacher, widowed, with children living in other cities. At times, I also miss being involved with young people. At the same time, I am growing more thrilled to be with people my own age or older. All those years of being in the classroom made me more than ready to just socialize with my own peers.
As I’ve seen in work with children and teenagers, interested and caring adults, particularly older women, can have an enormous impact on their lives. Young people soon realize that the interest is genuine, not out of family obligation, and that sends a powerful message about their own place and importance in the world. It’s the love that counts, not the gestation.
Adele: I would have no qualms at all about living in FL. And I also have no idea what Carrie means about it being “dangerous”….possibly Miami? They have always had a high crime rate there. As for other locations in FL, I have had relatives and friends living there throughout the state in many areas for years and years. They all love it, and wouldn’t think of living anywhere else. Of course,as Susan said, there is really no “perfect” place to live in the world, as well as no perfect people. I have lived in the Midwest all my life (70 years) and believe me, after Carrie and her husband have experienced snowstorms , ice storms, no electricity for days, having to shovel a driveway with 6 ft. drifts, driving on ice coated streets, getting stuck in a snowdrift, fighting flu season every year….shall I go on? …they will no longer “love” the snow. You would enjoy living in FL. I would love to join you if circumstances allowed!