30 Comments
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Peg Rabideau's avatar

Here's to aging...joyfully😘

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Let's do some joyful aging in August when I'm upstate! XX

Kathleen Lindfors's avatar

Love, Love, Love!!! I just celebrated my 65th birthday. Here's to aging joyfully, exuberantly, and unapologetically! ❤️☘️

Leslie Van Buskirk's avatar

Not only a fabulous wordsmith, but a most excellent photographer. Makes me wonder what other talents you’ve got up your sleeve…

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

I make a mean Manhattan and can parallel park. (Not at the same time, though.)

ChristyK's avatar

Great read ……. Have a super (and exciting) weekend 🤪

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Thanks, you too!

David Geary's avatar

Such a wonderful story! Just delightful! And I can relate. As a child, I was obsessed with Zorro. I had a Marx play set of Zorro and Mexican Army figures, including stupid Sgt. Garcia. I was Zorro for Halloween three years in row. And I was Zorro around the house. I had a 78rpm record of the Zorro theme song, and I would dress up in the outfit, put on the record, and prance dramatically down the stairs into the living room, waving my sword, as my family rolled their eyes. Not as good as your story, Eileen, but I couldn't resist. And, by the way, at the restaurant Sevilla in Greenwich Village, there's painting on the back wall of a comely senorita holding a pitcher while falling out of her blouse. When he was about 8, my son Miles christened it "Three Jugs."

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

I LOVE that story, and the image of you prancing dramatically. Thanks, David! XX

Deborah Dutko's avatar

Yes, I’m old and a little bit tired and getting wrinkly, but surprisingly, having the best time of my life at 71! Who knew it could be? 🤓

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Maybe the best is yet to come for all of us. Thanks for writing!

Sr Brian Marie Latour's avatar

Watch Flamenco dancing. It’s attractive! I told someone I was 86 the other day and they said: “no, really?” Yup! To age gracefully we have to be engaged to doing, as well as being! Don’t dye your hair, tho!

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Great advice, thank you!! XX

Laureen's avatar

Well done! Writing clearly Improves with Age. 😁 My favorite so far. Thank you!

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Thanks so much, Laureen! XX

Jackie Cuscuna's avatar

I really love reading your blog and I love how you describe your interactions with folks and your relationship and understanding with yourself. And how a transitory connection can be weaved into a deeper, more meaningful experience of aging, living and that freedom you spoke about. Thank you! You inspire me.

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Thank you for writing - your comment is helping to get my day off to a better start. (It's comforting to be reminded that we're all in this together, and sharing the load lightens it.) XX

Armondo de Grandpré's avatar

Zorro appears to have a twinkling personality. Hope he comes back to bring you another smile!

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

I hope so, too! Thanks for your comment -

chelbe's avatar

I just woke from a dream about moving to my dream location, meeting two people who turned out were awesome souls, and they introduced me to half the town in one afternoon. I immediately began the inquiry process of searching for a place. When I say this dream was vivid, it was technicolor. And I even dreamed I was able to walk upstairs holding our dinner dishes to the kitchen table on my not-so-bionic knee (arthritis).

Whether my waking mind always makes up its own mind to keep my future plans intact, my dreaming mind has my back. Maybe that’s sometimes what’s meant by chasing one’s dreams…

💖

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

What a great way to think of being - where the waking mind and dreaming mind hold equal weight. (Thank you - I woke feeling low this morning, but that idea is cheering me up.)

chelbe's avatar

I’m glad it has had a positive effect on you! 😽

From what I understand, dreams often present us with precisely what our conscious mind struggles to face. They bypass our carefully constructed (egoic) defenses, speaking truth in the gentle language of symbol, emotion, and metaphor. A locked door in a dream might represent a blocked opportunity in waking life; a recurring chase sequence might mirror our attempt to escape an uncomfortable truth. I dare say our dreams can act like unlocked doors to show us not to be afraid to take risks and be rewarded with growth, contentment, and self confidence.

Virginia Lawson's avatar

👍🤗 I no longer own my body. It belongs to the Old Peoples storage facility and they keep raising the rent!

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

I'm at work and just read your comment to a couple of ladies bellied up to the bar. We all roared.

Anthony's avatar

Love. That one hit home.

Eileen O'Connor's avatar

Old age is coming for us all, if we're lucky! XX

Anthony's avatar

Coming? Oh it's here.