"For a long time, I believed what I’d been told by my angry mother. That there was something wrong with me. Now, I’ve lived long enough to know I am more than okay. I am marvelous."
This was one of the most meaningful questionnaire responses I have read. No pat answers, honest and insightful, neither optimistic or pessimistic. Just real.
I'm so happy for this woman, that she has found out so much about who she is, and about what she needs to feel content. I'm the same age and it gives me hope.
Wow. That opening quote stopped me in my tracks. I will be rereading this questionnaire over and over. Proof that self love and doing the work can heal. Thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful and profound interview. I confess to knowing Chris in friendship for many years, but I am always knocked over by her almost disarming brilliance and wisdom.
I like your spunk. At seventy (twenty years my junior), you're still a kid. Keep it up, and when you reach my age you'll like being at that one the way I do. P.S. I've recently finished a a book, now in production, and am working on another. Make written English work and your mind will work, too.
We carry our homes within us, which enables us to fly or to stay. That line resonates to my soul. I am 78 and have truly put down roots now. I wish I could relinquish recurring thoughts of past mistakes.
I struggle with that, too. Lately I remind myself of what Ted Lasso says: "Be a goldfish." (They have 10-second memories. So they move on. And are, according to ted, "the happiest animal on earth." Lol.)
I will certainly give that a try. I have always admired fish. They always seem to be busy and happy with whatever it is fish strive for. Is it goal oriented?
That happens to me often, and suddenly. Sometimes one of those memories makes my entire body shudder. The best thing I have learned is to demonstrate to myself that I have learned something from those mistakes, and that I will use that experience to create a better future.
I think I understand. They will appear, out of nowhere, when I am trying to settle down to sleep at night. They have also materialized into occasional stress dreams. Sometimes journaling helps me to verbalize those feelings.
I'm a recent subscriber and I've noticed that, with the question "What has aging given you? Taken away from you?" many people seem to answer with the interpretation that something being "taken away" is not always a bad thing, but can be a good, freeing thing. Such a cool reframe I did not know even existed!
Thank you for sharing these interviews, this one was especially lovely to read <3
"I never felt I belonged anywhere." While I didn't have the opportunity to jump off my family tree, it toppled when I was a baby, so it was more of my family tree abandoning me. At least on one side of my family. This was so thoughtful. You make 70 look and feel beautiful.
This was one of the most meaningful questionnaire responses I have read. No pat answers, honest and insightful, neither optimistic or pessimistic. Just real.
Glad you enjoyed it, Judith. I love it, too!
I'm so happy for this woman, that she has found out so much about who she is, and about what she needs to feel content. I'm the same age and it gives me hope.
<3
Wow. That opening quote stopped me in my tracks. I will be rereading this questionnaire over and over. Proof that self love and doing the work can heal. Thank you for sharing.
This one's a knock-out. <3
Thank you!
Reading this I feel less alone...Thank you!
What a beautiful and profound interview. I confess to knowing Chris in friendship for many years, but I am always knocked over by her almost disarming brilliance and wisdom.
I look forward to reading your memoir someday....
This was fantastic. Can I apply to be her friend?
I like your spunk. At seventy (twenty years my junior), you're still a kid. Keep it up, and when you reach my age you'll like being at that one the way I do. P.S. I've recently finished a a book, now in production, and am working on another. Make written English work and your mind will work, too.
One of the currently trendy words I hear everywhere is "transparent." This piece was transparent in the absolute best sense of the word. I loved it.
Quite inspirational and hopeful ! Thank you !
We carry our homes within us, which enables us to fly or to stay. That line resonates to my soul. I am 78 and have truly put down roots now. I wish I could relinquish recurring thoughts of past mistakes.
I struggle with that, too. Lately I remind myself of what Ted Lasso says: "Be a goldfish." (They have 10-second memories. So they move on. And are, according to ted, "the happiest animal on earth." Lol.)
I will certainly give that a try. I have always admired fish. They always seem to be busy and happy with whatever it is fish strive for. Is it goal oriented?
That happens to me often, and suddenly. Sometimes one of those memories makes my entire body shudder. The best thing I have learned is to demonstrate to myself that I have learned something from those mistakes, and that I will use that experience to create a better future.
I think I understand. They will appear, out of nowhere, when I am trying to settle down to sleep at night. They have also materialized into occasional stress dreams. Sometimes journaling helps me to verbalize those feelings.
I loved this interview!
Perfect!
I'm a recent subscriber and I've noticed that, with the question "What has aging given you? Taken away from you?" many people seem to answer with the interpretation that something being "taken away" is not always a bad thing, but can be a good, freeing thing. Such a cool reframe I did not know even existed!
Thank you for sharing these interviews, this one was especially lovely to read <3
So glad you enjoyed it, and the responses to that question! Glad you've subscribed. Thank you!
"I never felt I belonged anywhere." While I didn't have the opportunity to jump off my family tree, it toppled when I was a baby, so it was more of my family tree abandoning me. At least on one side of my family. This was so thoughtful. You make 70 look and feel beautiful.
Inspired by and grateful for these interviews. Some wonderful lines in this one that I'll revisit often.
❤️