"As an adopted person, I have a mixed relationship to birthdays...But I have tended to insist on celebrating that I was born, in spite of the circumstances."
Love the concept of learning something new on your birthday! That's very forward-looking and combines fun, a reset, and the kick of energy that arrives when you've grabbed a new skill or insight. Thanks for that.
Susan! I totally understand what you mean about make-up. It flummoxes me. But a lesson? What a wonderful idea.
The picture of you with your daughters and your mom made my smile so BIG. I'm sure it wasn't always easy, but thank you for that image of multi-generational living as joy.
What a delightful soul! This resonated with me: “I’m feeling a little confused about if I should be winding down or ramping up. It’s not what I was expecting.” I, too, feel like I’m hitting my stride at 62. Cheers, Susan!
I did a marathon at 50 and a couple years later did triathlon training and finished one, the last person out, haha. I believe these ages my body considerably. I've been athletic all my life, but was never a runner. My body wasn't built for running. I pushed through and did 2 competitions. Looking back I would not have done these had I thought more clearly about sustaining mobility and flexibility for the future. I'm still pressing on to keep moving above average for 65 but it's a battle.
Great interview, thank you for such an entertaining guest.
When mom passed away at age 81 in 2021, I clearly remember the reality check I experienced: if lucky enough to stay healthy, I concluded that I had 15-20 years left to do all the things on my many to-do lists. The notion of a limited future was heart-breaking and I spent several weeks feeling down. Then I made new to-do lists, retired from paid work, increased my daily exercise routine, and now pursue my passions at age 64.
Learning something new on your birthday is a great idea, and Susan gave it away for free to everyone rather than monetize it the way a 24yo would. Thanks!
Lifelong learning seems like a good concept overall and for those of us "late bloomers" (and I don't mean panties) big changes may come late in life. In my own case, Ph.D. at 49 (following divorce two years earlier), first academic job at 50, began teaching tai chi right at retirement and while continuing that became a trainer of tai chi instructors. Began writing novels seriously quite recently. Will publication follow? Maybe not, but that's okay. This latest challenge is as much about the learning as it is a desire to see my name in print. Don't get me wrong--I'd love to publish "Beyond Measure," the novel that's preoccupied me for the last year.
I love the idea of learning something new every year on your birthday! Notice how many of us say that as we’ve aged we’ve given to uncomfortable shoes? Shoe designers take note!
My mother insisted on moving into a retirement community of her choosing, where she lived for 17 years before passing away. My siblings and I have a lot of guilt about not taking care of our mother in our homes, but she wouldn't hear of it, at least in the beginning, healthier years. Now, I try to put myself in Susan's position of caring for an elderly parent for the same number of years -- and try not to think about what the future holds for the rest of us.
Love the concept of learning something new on your birthday! That's very forward-looking and combines fun, a reset, and the kick of energy that arrives when you've grabbed a new skill or insight. Thanks for that.
Anne
Susan! I totally understand what you mean about make-up. It flummoxes me. But a lesson? What a wonderful idea.
The picture of you with your daughters and your mom made my smile so BIG. I'm sure it wasn't always easy, but thank you for that image of multi-generational living as joy.
🙏🏻🙏🏻That is exactly how I have always felt about makeup! I have never heard anyone else say it out loud before.
People like us who wear glasses are adding color to our faces with the frames.
Think of any make up as just the mat between that and the art: the lively eye.
I see great harmony in your itty bitty photo on here. You look great!
🙏🏻🙏🏻
What a delightful soul! This resonated with me: “I’m feeling a little confused about if I should be winding down or ramping up. It’s not what I was expecting.” I, too, feel like I’m hitting my stride at 62. Cheers, Susan!
Great birthday tradition!
I did a marathon at 50 and a couple years later did triathlon training and finished one, the last person out, haha. I believe these ages my body considerably. I've been athletic all my life, but was never a runner. My body wasn't built for running. I pushed through and did 2 competitions. Looking back I would not have done these had I thought more clearly about sustaining mobility and flexibility for the future. I'm still pressing on to keep moving above average for 65 but it's a battle.
Great interview, thank you for such an entertaining guest.
Learning something new every birthday-- I love that!
When mom passed away at age 81 in 2021, I clearly remember the reality check I experienced: if lucky enough to stay healthy, I concluded that I had 15-20 years left to do all the things on my many to-do lists. The notion of a limited future was heart-breaking and I spent several weeks feeling down. Then I made new to-do lists, retired from paid work, increased my daily exercise routine, and now pursue my passions at age 64.
What a beautiful spirit, thank you for sharing! I love the birthday tradition, that's a great idea.
This was delightful and inspirational. I will definitely sign up to learn something every birthday!
Learning something new on your birthday is a great idea, and Susan gave it away for free to everyone rather than monetize it the way a 24yo would. Thanks!
"Super genki" is going to be a mainstay in my vocabulary. Love these...thanks for the work you do.
Wonderful interview! I love the tradition of learning something new on your birthday.
Me, too!
Lifelong learning seems like a good concept overall and for those of us "late bloomers" (and I don't mean panties) big changes may come late in life. In my own case, Ph.D. at 49 (following divorce two years earlier), first academic job at 50, began teaching tai chi right at retirement and while continuing that became a trainer of tai chi instructors. Began writing novels seriously quite recently. Will publication follow? Maybe not, but that's okay. This latest challenge is as much about the learning as it is a desire to see my name in print. Don't get me wrong--I'd love to publish "Beyond Measure," the novel that's preoccupied me for the last year.
"late bloomers" (and I don't mean panties) had me howling!!!! 😝
I swear there’s a cotton pair in my drawer that keeps getting bigger every year! (I keep them for grungy outdoors projects in scorching weather.)
“Butt Buckets” always amused me too (easily…) and now that I’m in the Bucket List Bracket I conflate the two. Usually keep that to myself…
I love the idea of learning something new every year on your birthday! Notice how many of us say that as we’ve aged we’ve given to uncomfortable shoes? Shoe designers take note!
Given up! Damn they need an edit button.
I never thought about the complexities of the birthday as an adopted person. Thank you for sharing. Glad you celebrate you birth.
My mother insisted on moving into a retirement community of her choosing, where she lived for 17 years before passing away. My siblings and I have a lot of guilt about not taking care of our mother in our homes, but she wouldn't hear of it, at least in the beginning, healthier years. Now, I try to put myself in Susan's position of caring for an elderly parent for the same number of years -- and try not to think about what the future holds for the rest of us.