Cherrie, Age 69
Hello. Who knew 70 would feel so lonely. I’m retired advanced practice nurse, for about two years. Still miss the patients and staff. Recently had a total knee replacement surgery and doing well. Except, it has brought up so many anxieties about aging. I have been crazy active and busy, this seems so alien. One step and one day at a time. Really, I think I’m too stubborn to let this get me down for long.
Belita, Turning 70
Hello to ALL 70’S……On October 17….this year …2016, I am turning 70…I feel I am only 35…for some reason…..Usually on my Birthday….I love to travel….I was in Paris..when I turned 63…..then to Bejing, China on another Birthday….and another place …..and another Birthday….This year I am going to Kyoto, Japan. I feel blessed to be able to go around the World ….in different places….and to enjoy life fully…I have also done SKY DIVING…..with my youngest daughther….Rowena….Did the longest Zip Line in Haiti…..Done many Cruises……I am very happy for my Life and the many people…..around me….who love me and I love them back….I thank my parents for bringing me to this beautiful World…of ours…..LIFE is truly a great gift….It is priceless…..So ladies and gentlemen….Let US all celebrate being 70……WE are still young…..By the way I still LOVE my work…..and enjoying it….THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH to all.
Love, BELITA
Syd, Age 80
Turned 80 today and do not feel any different than I did yesterday.
Cathy, Age 63
Hi – I’ve been reading the stories – preparing myself for my 70s. I am inspired by the many vibrant, energetic, resourceful women here, and hope that when as I grow older I will share the same philosophies.
My husband is 73 – so I am seeing through him, some of the things mentioned here. But not as positively. He seems to think that his life is over. He stopped playing golf because he can’t play as well, and doesn’t do as much physically as he used to, although he could – he’s physically capable, just chooses not to. We live on 30 acres and have a small fruit farm which he has all but abandoned (leaving me to do the the work). Talks about moving into an apartment, which I know I couldn’t stand.
It’s too bad – I can’t convince him that he still has a lot of living to do and to coax him out of his funk.
Funny the way some people can deal with age while others just can’t cope.
Reading these stories and seeing him is teaching me a lot about preparing myself for my 70s and beyond.
Thank you!
Sheilagh, Age 71
What a charming web site, so happy to have found you. Am a British lady living in Montreal for over thirty years. Love it here except the winters are brutal, but I do stay in when it’s so cold. So ladies, I have a few health problems but guess how I deal with them. I eat only organic, drink lots of water and work out on a regular basis. I have done pilates regularly for about ten years and still do, but also do something called pilates stretch from my home which has an attachment for any door. I do this via Skype once or twice a week and also in my own. I hasten to add I only take synthroid for my thyroid. Take magnesium from the health store and vitamin e. I really don’t give in to my bad knees and cope with the exercise which alleviates the pain.
You know what, even if you are seventy try something new, and many of us are on our own, so rather than relying on other people just stay fit and chose our own old age. I am blessed with a son and daughter with my son having two girls and my daughter a son and daughter. I stay with her a lot and take care of my granddaughter who is fourteen months. I am an early riser and by five need to rest but am happy to be able to do this.
I have lived in many countries and have wonderful memories and am planning a trip to Ireland and England as soon as I can. So all you seventy year olds interested to hear what you have to say, and trust the sun is shining down on each and everyone of you.
Sheilagh Dagwell
Linda, Age 66
My husband is ill and has been for the past, what seems like 20 years. As his condition worsened I retired early to be his caretaker. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. Although I am technically not 70 yet, I am close and feel every bit that age.
I was a full time Human Resources Executive, for over 30 years. I believe the nurturing, helping people cope, as well as problem solving skills, are still being used daily. Being a baby boomer and given my value system, family came first in spite of my career demands. I put in long days at work, but many times those started at 5am rather than stay at the office till 7pm as often as I could, so I could also fulfill my family duties. Looking back I regret that, but I am as guilty as my family for creating and sustaining that. However I believe that made me stronger and prepared me for the role I play today. A woman today would never do that.
I found being home full time time was making me “crazy” so I work outside the home very part time just to see and meet people. The money is a pittance, but needed, given all of todays high medical and co-pay costs. The interaction I receive through working is irreplaceable. My tasks at home grow each day as his health declines however, I would not be able to cope or do this if it weren’t for my woman friends. How long will I “be able” to work is anyone’s guess, but it keep me vital in the meantime.
In the recent history I have lost 2 very dear friends. I have lost parents, a brother and 2 sisters, but nothing compares to losing a dear friend. They don’t send cards and send casseroles when you lose a friend. Friends are my glue to the outside world, without my female friends I’d be lost, whether they live 2 miles or 2000 miles away. Women just know what you mean, even if they haven’t experienced it, their compassion and ability to “hear” you is something you can not describe or put into words. Losing my best friend to an untimely death was like losing my right arm, it would have been easier to sever that arm. Nothing replaces the interaction and friendship she provided.
The thing I miss most about my husband is how we use to talk, the deep discussion about boundless subjects. Conversations with him now are near impossible and anything of depth is near impossible. Yet he was my most intimate friend. Only another woman gets that. Another woman understands that …most people don’t.
An hour conversation with a woman friend, a quick coffee, is like elixir. That time revives me. That time gives me strength. I expect that need to only grow as the years do.
I try to stay active by reading, its hard to be out of the house anymore than I have to. I lack craft and or artistic ability, but enjoy a good book or a provocative article, so I look forward to joining book clubs when my situation changes and that opportunity presents itself.
I guess that’s how we refer to “it” now, when our situation changes.
Cindy, Age 69
Do you live in southern California?
I am trying to start a 70 Candles group for the Pasadena/Los Angeles area.
Due to the large area covered by Los Angeles county, I find women interested in forming a gathering might live up to 50+ miles apart. This makes it very difficult to meet personally on a regular basis. I thought I could moderate our communications through group e-mail.
Each month I would submit a topic of concern to launch a conversation through email. Of course, if you join the group it is understood that comments and personal details submitted would be confidential within the group.
Please let me know if you have an interest in joining us.
Cindycarlburg@yahoo.com
Mary, Turning 71
I’m Mary Hirsch of Boston, (turning a youthful 71 tomorrow) with an UPDATE for the pending FIRST 71Candles get together as soon as our HOT/HUMID “peasant weather,” as my tiny, aristocratic French grandma called it) passes. I share her view on the nastiness of heat/humidity, sans judgment on the “peasant” business. Grannie was an aristocrat, bless her little heart. I moved to Boston from Santa Monica eight years ago not only because Boston was on my bucket list (and I love crossing out stuff on my list) but because I absolutely LOVE snow, cold abd rain: the more the merrier, so “let it rip, dear Lord!” My body loves it.
So here’s the scoop: In the last couple of months, I’ve heard from a few women in the surrounding area of Boston and they all sound wonderful. One, in particular, sounds like a kindred spirit: retired from a professional she loved, exercise lover, POSITIVE, active, engaged in life and a woman with a purpose besides being a grandma, baking cookies, obsessed with ailments and feeling sorry for herself because she’s “aging.” WE ALL ARE! Please do NOT misunderstand and sense any judgment on women who opt for what I described (do your thing; it’s YOUR life!) it’s just that some of us (minority, probably) opt for other choices and it’s ALL good; all good. I just hope that as we move along in Boston, we might be able to put a group of women with COMMON interests beside “aging.” I just want to be perfectly clear of where I, personally am coming from.
Tomorrow I’ll be 71 – and rocking it. No biggie. Like most of us, I have my health challenges which I call “hobbies,” but REFUSE to dwell on. Suffice it say I’ve had my share and am presently being “challenged” with a particular one but I’ll be the first NOT to bore you; I’ll save that for my doctors – they get PAID to listen! Instead, I’m doing ALL I can to jump this hurdle and most excited about my MAIN present to myself: treat myself ALL AUGUST with gifts to myself: (I’ve already hit Tiffany’s, a trip to La Jolla, CA, and can’t wait to get the snazziest pair of RUNNING SHOES and the best sports bra! I’ve already hit the hairdresser to trim my pageboy, had my mani/pedi. The spoiling continues! And I don’t wait for my birthday to spoil this Princess, as I do it all year long. I just crank it up a few NOTCHES during August!
So sisters, IF your thinking veers in my direction, we’ll have a great time. Life, as we all know, is life: unpredictable, challenging – and not for “sissies.” We are ALL given our challenges and we have CHOICES to make: give in, surrender, feel sorry for ourselves or like warriors, MARCH ON! I CHOOSE to be a warrior and sometimes think of life as a bowling lane, knocking off one pin (challenge) at a time, jumping up and down when I get a strike. And with that attitude, you can be sure, I manage to get a few.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes: “I may not be able to control the wind, but I surely can control my sails! IT’S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE – AND GRATITUDE!