69 and counting down!

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Anonymous,  Almost 70

How grateful I was to find your site.
I will turn 70 in 2 weeks time, and I have gone from never thinking about aging, dying etc., to it doing my head in.
I think once I have had this birthday I will be fine, I know it’s only a number, but there is something about 70 that’s rather daunting.
I am in good health, financially comfortable, loving daughter and granddaughter, good friends, I travel often, and generally am a happy person, but this birthday like no other has bought up many things I never used to think about, nor really want to confront.
My daughter does not want to acknowledge I am getting older, more as a self protection aspect than any other, so I try not to discuss it with her, but as I am on my own I find it hard, as we are very close.
I will continue to read all the lovely stories on this site and pick up some tips from others who have reached this milestone.

Posted in About turning 70, Family matters, Looking ahead, Share your story, Traveling | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

My poem

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Ella Mahler

In my own thriving in the eighth decade
I am doing it.
It is okay.

If can make it
It is okay.

I can get up at four
(as Sylvia Plath did)
and write.

If I can just be active
Death will not conquer
yet.

If I can
Just make it
It will be okay.

Nuala O’Faolain says;
“There is no
Perfect tying up
Of the glorious mess of a life.”

From her book, One Hand and One Half , to be published 2016

Posted in 70candles, Goals ahead, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

How might Susann spend her time?

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Anonymous,  Age 70
Susann is a bright and physically strong 70 yr old woman.  She is opinionated but compassionate – she works well with the elderly and loves caring for her grandchildren – reading, instructing, and helping them stay fit.  She spent her adult life helicoptering her children and obtaining a PHD on the side.  She has taught in high school and college sporadically.  Although she lived on the East Coast with her husband she traveled to the West Coast to spend the summers with her family so she has a strong support system from her siblings now that she is a widow for 5 years.  She currently lives in a duplex with her married sibling, near most of her children.  Her interests are spending time with family, swimming, skating, and reading.  As a healthy woman with no immediate obligations, how would you suggest she structure her time wisely?

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Turning 70 YAHOOO!

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Continue reading →

Posted in 70candles, About turning 70, Family matters, Looking ahead, Our bodies, our health, Resilience, Share your story, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeking advice

Posted on January 17, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Anonymous,  Age 69
I want to know how l can get on this mailing list to read about and get some advice on turning 70 and aging!  I am 70 in the fall!

Posted in About turning 70, Networking | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

No time to waste

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Laura,  Age 70
My birthday is January 15, tomorrow.  I will turn 70.  I retired in 2012 when caring for my mother consumed me.  She passed in 2013 and I have just come to terms with her passing.  I still work part time and will do so for another year.  I retired from a higher education position where we have the option after retirement to work for another 5 years, half time.  This eases the shock of complete retirement and gives me time to plan for the next phase.  I have racked my brain asking myself what is the next phase?  My profession consumed me entirely and it has been difficult to remove myself from it but, the 5 year transition has helped.

So, I amped up traveling which has been great, but I can’t be gone all the time.  I do have a husband who is not retired and a son and daughter-in-law that I cherish.  I am looking into volunteering, as my peers have done, and hopefully I will have grandchildren some day so I can take care of them.  One thing I have noticed is that being 70 makes me feel that there is no time to waste.  I am still confused about my age but I will get better and that will be sooner than later.

Posted in 70candles, About turning 70, Family matters, Goals ahead, Looking ahead, Traveling, Work life and retirement | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

If not now…when?

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Blog Mavens

Beverly,  Age 71

I turned 70 last January and more so than any other turning point, it bothered me!  I spent the year just floundering, wondering when my depression would lift and why I couldn’t move forward.  I’m in good health, reasonably secure financially and although I never married I have family nearby.

When I turned 71 a couple of weeks ago, my main reaction was, “thank God I’m not 70 anymore!”  Posting to this blog is my first step in trying to build a life now that my all-consuming career is over.  When I retired I realized that beyond work I had almost no other compartments in my life….that’s got to change and
“if not now, when?”

So I’m glad I found the “70” book and this website and plan to start taking other small steps in the next few months.  I need a purpose, I need friends and community, and I need to get in shape.

Thank you!

Posted in 70candles, About turning 70, Goals ahead, Looking ahead, Our bodies, our health, Resilience, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Age is a mind set

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Blog Mavens

 

Anonymous,  Age 73

I am turning 73 this January.  I live on my own…I have had a very busy life and experienced many wonderful things.

I am self employed and working!  I love my work as a designer.  I have worked through two marriages…It is important to me to stay in the best shape I can, learning new technology, looking great, “a bit of cosmetic stuff” to boost the self esteem, and trying to being current on everything! I have two wonderful grand daughters 19 and 22, who keep me on my toes…I drive a sports car and live in a loft; the stairs are great…travel when I can…

I don’t think age means a lot; it’s how you feel.  It’s a mind set…we have to keep moving and active to get the most from our lives.  The one thing I stay away from are “Old Age” venues etc…it’s just plain scary…I’m leaving that for the very last experience.

Cheers!!!

Posted in 70candles, Goals ahead, Looking ahead, Our bodies, our health, Resilience, Technology and contemporary culture, Traveling, Where to live, Work life and retirement | 1 Comment

Getting your 70Candles! book

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Blog Mavens

Elena,  Age 71

I am reading the book 70 things to do when you turn 70 and in chapter 10 I found out about your blog and your book will be getting it soon.
About your 70gatherings in PA…where and when do you meet there? Would be interested to go depending if is not too far from Annapolis, Maryland.
Thank you and congratulations on making the book,

Posted in 70candles, Networking, What we're reading | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Open to suggestions

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Blog Mavens

Anonymous,  Age 70

I turned 70 recently, and that thought visits me more often than I would have expected. Neither good nor bad, it just jumps into my consciousness, and makes me stop and reset my head, so to speak.

I’ve been retired for a number of years, am in good health, though the body is aging in all the ways you might imagine. Got a new knee last January – an imperfect fix to say the least, but my physical stability is restored, and I can hike easy trails without pain again.

70 is supposed to be old. I don’t feel old in my mind. Maybe a little slower, but a lot wiser is all. I am a child of the 60s, and have maintained a progressive, intellectual outlook all this time. I know that people see me as older, but I just don’t care. Like most women, I noticed that I was invisible to men once I moved into my 50s. Their loss. Now, I have many younger friends and family members ranging from 7 to their 30s. I love them all, enjoy their company, and give them every opportunity to keep me up to date on the world they inhabit.

I divorced young after a nightmare marriage. No kids, which is really the only regret I have from my life besides that marriage. Personal freedom, solitude when I want it… I love this life at 70 more than I did at 50!

Right now, at 70, I am looking for more to do. I volunteer with kids, run book, hiking, and progressive discussion groups, and belong to a couple of others. Also have a little eBay shop. However, I still have a bit too much spare time. (No grandkids leave lots of time!) I’m open to suggestions!!!

Unless one has very poor health, I think our 70s are the gift of a lifetime! Freedom, wisdom, time to spend with loved ones-human and animal, our beautiful earth, listening to music, reading good books, and so much more.

Posted in 70candles, About turning 70, Family matters, Goals ahead, Looking ahead, Networking, Our bodies, our health, Resilience, Share your story | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments