Social Commentary
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The Invisible Aging Woman
Botanica Chair, Olga and Aleksey Ivanov (“Idea for a ghost story: a woman gets old and falls out of time and realizes she’s invisible.)” Emily St. John Mandel As women age, do they become invisible in society, particularly in America, where youth is often prioritized? As we age, we are perceived as less valuable and…
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Moving Forward
I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland Life presents moments that I yearn to relive, while others leave me longing for their conclusion. I must admit that I’m not unhappy with this phase of my life. Contrary to popular belief, aging isn’t a relentless…
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Influence
I believe that, more than anything else, the grief of constantly having to face down our own inadequacies is what keeps us from being writers. Forgiveness, therefore, is key. I can’t write the book I want to write, but I can and will write the book I am capable of writing. Again and again throughout…
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Limitations
Arvada, Colorado Kite Festival I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I want. I can never train myself in all the skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the shades, tones, and variations of mental and physical experience…
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Reflections on Aging
I don’t believe in aging. I believe in altering one’s aspect to the sun. Virginia Woolf I am approaching another birthday and reflecting on how rapidly years disappear. We eventually arrive where we were headed from the beginning. Aging is inevitable. The conundrum of aging came onto the horizon, once again, while attending a Neighborhood…
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A Note of Appreciation
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to you as well. Voltaire This morning, I spent an hour attending a neighborhood meeting with the police from our district. It was a casual gathering at a community bagel shop. An opportunity to meet local officers and express both gratitude and…
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Finding Peace
The poem I chose for this post is a bit longer than usual. As a result, it will be both photo and quote for this week. The moment I read this poem, I fell in love with it and Mary Oliver. Worry is a reoccurring theme for me. I envy people who say they never…
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Finding Peace Amid Chaos
Roses From My Friend Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about. Rumi It’s one of those days when as I sit down to write, my mind cannot be corralled into one…
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Courage
What I essentially did was to put one foot in front of another, shut my eyes and step off the ledge. The surprise was that I landed on my feet. Katherine Graham What does an art exhibit poster and a quote by Katherine Graham have in common? Absolutely nothing. Other than, it’s been another challenging…
Aging with Grace 