Category Archives: Death and dying

Old and scared – Quite a trip

Diana, Age 79 My husband of 52 years and I have one of those relationships that younger people point out to each other and sigh “I hope that’s us one day.” Fifty-two years of connection – hard fought, hard won. … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Adaptations and accommodations as we age, Aging, Attitudes about aging, Caretaking, Dealing with loss, Death and dying, EOL- This end of life, Family matters, Health, Looking ahead, Men aging, Sad about aging | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thriving beyond 70 with wisdom and connection

Here is the direct link to the podcast at Restless to Renewed. We, Jane and Ellen were asked by Janice Neely about our decades long friendship, the evolution of our 70Candles project and lessons learned. We hope you enjoy listening … Continue reading

Posted in 70 from other perspectives: looking forward and looking back, 70candles, 70Candles! Gatherings, 70Candles! Gatherings - the experience, About turning 70, Adaptations and accommodations as we age, Ageism anecdotes, Aging, Attitudes about aging, blog, Caretaking, Dealing with loss, Death and dying, Family matters, Goals ahead, Grandparenting, Gratitude and Spirituality, Health, HUMOR, Inspiration as we age, Loneliness, Looking ahead, Men aging, Networking, Nostalgia, Older women connecting, Our bodies, our health, Parenting, Resilience, Turning 80, Where to live, Widows’ choices, Work life and retirement | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Leaving an end-of-life letter

Jane, Almost 74 I thought I would leave this end-of-life letter behind for my daughters-in-law when I die. My experience with them has been difficult, I have not been able to communicate with them effectively, and I find that writing … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Adaptations and accommodations as we age, Death and dying, Family matters, Parenting | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Remembering

Anonymous My best friend in high school called last week. We spoke about friends we lost. How some obituaries read like a curriculum vitae. I suppose this was how this person was valued during their life. I see this on … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Death and dying, Gratitude and Spirituality, Inspiration as we age | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Thoughts

Cindy, Age 71 I am amazed by the strength of women who survive their partner and go on to productive lives, making friends and even reaching for enjoyment. I am blessed to have a wonderful partner. We live with my … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Adaptations and accommodations as we age, Aging, Caretaking, Dealing with loss, Death and dying, Family matters, Loneliness, Looking ahead, Men aging, Widows’ choices | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Goodbye 70 Candles, Hello 80

Ellen, Age 80 I turned 80 18 days ago, on March 10, 2021, which means I have officially reached my ninth decade. No big deal, you say? I don’t think of myself as a particularly reflective person; I’m more of … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Aging, Attitudes about aging, Death and dying, Family matters, HUMOR, Looking ahead, Men aging, Nostalgia, Sad about aging, Widows’ choices | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

I turned 70 in October and I am so unhappy.

Anonymous My friends have died and my children wish I would die. I was a psychology Professor and retired 21 year ago. I live alone and can’t find things to do. School was my whole life but now they want … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, About turning 70, Aging, Death and dying, Loneliness, Sad about aging, Work life and retirement | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Caregiver for older parents

Anonymous, Age 70 Well, here I am. I retired on July 1 almost 3 years ago and became very involved with my 93-year-old dad and my 90-year-old mom. She became very sick and was hospitalized 2 1/2 weeks into my … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Aging, Caretaking, Dealing with loss, Death and dying, Family matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Do you feel orphaned?

Anonymous, Age 71 Great site….. I always wonder if others feel like orphans when our parents pass no matter what our age?

Posted in 70candles, Aging, Death and dying, Family matters, Older women connecting | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A journalist’s request

Judy, Age 63 I’m a journalist who writes a nationally-distributed column about aging and health. A topic I’d like to cover going forward, either for a column or a story: people in their 70s taking care of parents in their … Continue reading

Posted in 70candles, Caretaking, Death and dying, Men aging, Our bodies, our health | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment