I am quite different from the person who last wrote. Then I was still climbing trees Now I am 95 years old and live in a retirement home called FRIEDA House.
But it is very comfortable. We have our own bathroom! And we never have to move . We are permitted to die here. Now that is a comforting thought for me. No kidding.
I still belong to a community book club. We just read “The Buddha in the Attic” and next will be “The Roundhouse.” I hope to interest them in “Refuge” by Terry Tempest Williams.
We Mennonites have a church bus that gets me and a man with Lou Gehrig’s disease in our wheelchairs plus 10 or so walking members – canes, walkers and so on- to church Sunday mornings. A friend takes me to the home games of our Bluffton University basketball games. Fun.
My eyes work much better than my ears – I feel fortunate that ANYTHING works – so enough for now. – love to you readers.
ElderChicks 
You post was inspirational, thank you
Keep us posted
Christine… Thank you so much for writing! Your days sound delightful…I hope you will share more with us. If we “youngsters” are fortunate, we will one day be where you are. Love back to you. Helen
I hope I can end my life like this. I am 66 and doing well, but very very poor. On food stamps with my children supporting me. It’s not that I cannot work–I have a Masters and teaching experience–but I am unable to find a real job! I am volunteering at an after school program and I am a full time writer working on writing projects all the time. I just do not know how I will be cared for late in life if I make it that long!
Dear Chrissy, ( I f I maybe so bold)
What a pleasure to hear from somebody ‘different’.. welcome to my world or am I welcome in yours? You read, I read, you think, I think, you wheel about, I wheel about, you see better, more I might add, and so do I. You find joy/humor in life, me too. You plan to die in place, also my plans. Since I have no expiration date printed on my heel I’m aiming for 105, that’s 22 years from now.
Tell me you like to cook, to research on the computer, follow the stock market and do a bit of creative sewing I will be your buddy for ever!!
elissa
Your sense of humor is also still working. And so is your heart filled with love for others and your continuing friendships.
Blessings,
Joan Reid
Hi Joan. you have me wondering…do you know me from somewhere? I have racked my 5 lbs of gelatinous membrane and flipped a dozen synapses to no avail. Tell me quick.
The 95 year old has so much spirit . She seems like a wonderful person . I wish her well. If she would like to communicate with me I would be very happy to hear from her. Just reading her post made me feel good.
Mary C
Christine, I enjoyed reading your post and found it very encouraging. It sounds like you are comfortable at Frieda House and able to continue doing the things you enjoy. I’m glad you have your own bathroom! Take care.
Love to hear how folks age with dignity. I know we don’t climb trees anymore, and at 81 years I don’t ride bikes either…but my husband and I volunteer as ushers for both theater and music events and really continue to follow my creed, of “now is the only time there is…so enjoy it!
Thank you both for being so positive! I will stop worrying and complaining and start loving each moment of life!
Christine, I am so glad I found your post. You sound like a wonderfully upbeat person. I’m 87 and feel lonely as friend after friend passes away I live in my home with my dog and two cats and mostly see only service people who come and go. I’ve dreaded the thought of living in a place like yours but you make it sound appealing. You have lessened my anxiety. Thank you. And many blessings to you! .
Enjoyed Christine’s comments….. the book suggestions sound interesting.
You’re the kind of person I was looking for, another lady who can’t hear. I’m much younger than you, only 81, but I find the hearing loss bit a real drag. Very active in HLAA – Hearing Loss Assoc. America. Live alone with my dog Hedwig, who also is losing her hearing. I hear lots but understanding what I hear is a different story; without my hearing aids, hear essentially nothing. Being able to circulate amongst people but not able to freely communicate with them by voice is tough. almost time for Downton Abbey (captions) so signing off, maybe we’ll chat some more
Dear Elise…I’m sorry for your auditory loss. I’m starting to loose the highs but at this point I find it almost a blessing. I do not get to hear about that bingo score, that gall bladder operation of 5 years ago and how that daughter-in-law dissed you. In every negative there always is a little bright positive. My mother was very hard of hearing and also wore a hearing aid. In those days it was 3 wires, the ear, the control box and the one-pound battery. How she managed this cumbersome package I’ll never know. She learned to lip read on her own. She also was a ‘student of people’s actions’. While many times she only got half the conversation, she could tell you more about the person, their intentions, their honesty, and intelligence than any hearing person. She taught me the fine art of what is called today “body language.”When we loose one of our senses we make the other senses work harder.”Your mission if you wish to undertake it is…work those eyes.”
I am going to share your post with my mom who is 88 years young and going strong! Thanks you for sharing your wisdom.
Another thank you, Christine, for your welcome words of wisdom, reflection, and outlook.