44 Comments
Sep 4Liked by Sari Botton

As I get ready to celebrate my mother’s 95th birthday in a few weeks and my own 70th birthday in a few months I appreciate your words of wisdom and inspiration. Thank you!

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Sep 6Liked by Sari Botton

My mother (97 1/2) beats me at Wordle regularly, still does long haul flights, has outstanding recall of her childhood and past-and remains steady on her feet.

Aging idol? Got one, luckily..

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author

Amazing! And inspiring.

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i love her poem, "Arrangement." 🤣 a sense of humor seems to be key in aging happily. my dad just turned 100. i see him daily and sometimes share these interviews with him. these are fantastic, inspiring and make me enjoy even more my own oldstering. 😁

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Sep 4Liked by Sari Botton

ARRANGEMENT

Most of the time

I'm in love

with my single life

which is not to say

I don't have room

to be in love

with a good man,

but this time around

I think I'd just like

custody,

say Wednesday

evenings

and every other

weekend.

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I loved that too, & feel exactly the same way (at 68).

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Excellent and helpful essay answers to Sari’s probing questions. 80 seems OK, now that I am 73. ❤️

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Sep 4Liked by Sari Botton

Thank you for this! As I iron out the aches and kinks that my 75 year old body presents me with this morning, “This is 80” paired perfectly with my one precious cup of coffee.

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Sep 4Liked by Sari Botton

Also, thanks for the VSQ recommendation. No question that all I was lacking today was a good cover quartet!

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What an inspiration! I could relate to this in so many ways.

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Sep 4Liked by Sari Botton

What a dose of positivity this morning! Thanks so much. I too had a 2-week birthday celebration this year—I was not happy about 65 until it became all about writing and writers, reminding me who I am and why I’m glad I’m alive.

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I love a two-week birthday celebration. Once I turned 50 I started celebrating throughout October.

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Love this! I will remember not to apologize, either. Also, the last thing my mom and I did together before her dementia took her down was a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Great pics. Glad to have done that with her. And to have taken her for a fine meal first. Sniff.

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Ditto on the Vitamin String Quartet. Have a feeling it will be a top Google search for a few weeks. Jane, you’ve reminded me that there are no age limits to savoring life, and looking forward to what’s next. It’s so easy to misinterpret constraints (soreness, desire for a quick nap) as roadblocks when they are nothing more than speed bumps. Looking forward to O-W-S.

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Sounds like we could be sisters!!! In life experience and action. I love being alone, always celebrating my b-day .. Most important day in my calendar.. on my way to 80 next b-day .. Woke up yesterday and it hit my like a brick .. 80!!! WOW ..really?!?! phenomenal!!! Still walk a couple miles 3, 4 days a week ... Am thankful for sooooo much .. realizing the changes and moving with them as best I can ... So, let's carry on, enjoy, til forever is no longer!!!

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Thanks. At 75, my body is starting to slow me down a bit, but I love this era too. Not anxious for it to end. :)

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Now I have to find out who Vitamin String Quartet are! Love this good start to the day!

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My new motto: my head is willing and my body is following along as best it can. Love it!

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I relate to Seskin's experience of her 60s: "Semi-retired. Returned to writing with a new attention and determination." May her ninth decade earthside be filled with moments of joy!

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Here's the not so secret sauce in my own cooking up a well-lived life. "continuous learning, doing service, and engaging with whatever life brought" and cooking is one of my attempts of continuing creativity. How we put our bodies, minds and spirits all working together for our benefit is the continuing challenge in later years. Having just passed 87, I told my cardiologist yesterday that if I live one year or three, it doesn't matter. I am going to keep on going and doing as long as I can and very grateful to have the abillty and agility to be doing that. Looking ahead to what's next, to the next trip or two and glad to be here now.

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This was wonderful. I am 73. I, too, have the physical aches and pains, but I work around them and don’t let them stop me. I started volunteering T an elementary school library again. Two days a week, if my knees permit it. I’ve found the older I get the more outspoken but kind I am. You are who I want to emulate. I just bought your book. Thanks for your honesty, Jane. Sari, thank you for such great picks for your interviews. Here’s to being grateful for each day!

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