32 Comments

Part of the wisdom of age (I am 82) is knowing when to let go. I retired from a very powerful and rewarding job at age 56. Never regretted the loss of power and prestige. RBG clung to both and the result (in part) was the downfall of Roe. I can’t forget or forgive her decision.

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Loved the interview, including the photographs.

I found this insight to be wise and true for me (age 62).

"What’s surprising to me—this is something that comes from society—is that we think of younger people as wild and free and open and interesting. Many times, it is exactly the opposite. Younger people can be heavy, taking everything so seriously. While sometimes older people are freer. They definitely have more of a sense of humor and lightness about things. So, it’s often exactly the opposite of what I anticipated."

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Why do we think this - why is it that age well perhaps in some parts of the West is seen as an unfortunate ending? other cultures seem to be far more progressive!

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"Some suffering also comes, yes, from our aging bodies, but suffering also comes from the messages we receive from our society, and this part we can fight and change." YES to this quote! Let's celebrate the changes in our bodies and the knowledge gained at this point in midlife instead of relegating ourselves to an ending just because our ovaries had finished their work. Also... the photographs are stunning... thank you for sharing them in the story!

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What a deeply delightful read. Inspiring in my own work of aging and being a mad analogue photographer, and a mad welder, the mad composer and a mad sewist. This read left me feeling warm and fortunate. And not just the read, the person that is Elinor and her family. I loved that last question and the watermelon cake, and that being together is enough. A read I will return to, and I will get some of those books for Kindle. Thank you for this. My life, heart, hands and mind are touched by it.

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Both the images and the interview are so beautiful. I love Elinor's insight and especially her joy in mothering. Thank you!

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Jun 5Edited

There is real depth to the pictures included here, way beyond the immediacy of a Vogue shoot. The exquisite photo for the book cover has all the timeless beauty of the classic marbles in antiquities museums.

Very moving! What an elegant way to start a day. Unexpected visual delights.

Thanks for sharing so much of your portfolio.

And isn’t that soft red lip (in the closeup) the most beautiful serene color? So hard to find in a moremoremore brutal marketplace.

This piece is like an unexpected flower bouquet.

Thank you Elinor and Sari for this fine art.

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The older family photos are amazing too!! I lived the one of her and her mom when she was little, so tender. And the photo of mom (in her 50s?) barely clothed, proudly flaunting, and impish was extremely cute.

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Great interview and loved the photos! Thank you for sharing such a deep and inspiring conversation!

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Thank you for this. You have done so much! I applaud you! I can't say I've accomplished a whole lot during my life, but I keep working on things. Maybe if I were to concentrate on one area it would help but I seem to be so scattered. I want to do everything a at the same time. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 83, 3 years ago, and I suspect that might be the reason. But I love my age and don'r really think about it. I'm blessed with good health and I feel so lucky in that regard. People tell me I don't look my age. I don't feel my age, I do feel about 20 ears younger. I'd like to be able to make up for what I "could have been' if not for the add but that's not possible. I just feel fortunate that my doctor recognized it when he did.

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Virginia

You are here - you are contributing - so perhaps you have accomplished more than you think - living with any undiagnosed neurodiversity is bound to be significant. It also depends on what is meant to be accomplished? being you is enough

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Gorgeous. Thank you Sari for creating this space and introducing me to so many amazing artists and people. Elinor Carucci!! I am so glad to know of your work! I love it and how you speak so eloquently about growing up/aging and motherhood. Thank you for putting words to so many things I have felt over the years. That playfulness that you exude is priceless. I feel it too. And I too have often imagined myself as an old woman, a crone, and how and where I will live. It’s a fantasy I’m cultivating.

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Ann, I'm so happy you're enjoying this. And grateful for your contributions (an essay, lots of nice comments) too! <3

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"..suffering also comes from the messages we receive from our society, and this part we can fight and change". BRILLIANT!!

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loved all of this. Those photos! So much to linger on. As far as botox goes--it's such a small thing, so very minor. Nothing to feel bad about. It's no fun to walk around looking angry when you are not feeling angry. The world reacts to you--sees you as angry. Much nicer to have your expression match your insides. Elinor is such a beauty!

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I've admired Carucci's photographs before but it was very moving to hear her voice here. Thank you both!

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Glad you enjoyed this!

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This was a pleasure to read and to look at.

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"I mainly learned—it seems like a simple thing—that there are very few things that are really urgent and critical; all the rest I can probably deal with very well if I just stay calm and open." YES to this! And the rest of this interview as well. <3

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we also get to decide what is urgent too - you are right - we can overcomplicate so easily - it does not make us better people - just overwhelmed.

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Fascinating interview, so inspiring. And those photographs--wow!! The beauty and emotion captured is stunning. I especially appreciated the words about her Mom, divorcing in her late 50s, finding the love of her life in her late 60s. I divorced at 62 after a 33 yr marriage (my choice) and this gives me hope of continuing to be vital, happy and hopefully find new love--although I am prepared to embrace my life fully and love and appreciate it regardless of whether or not new love comes to me. I didn't break from the past I'd known for so long to stagnate. And so I agree, we older women are often freer than younger women.

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The photographs are beautiful. Her work is truly a work of art. And It was a great interview. I hope she doesn't beat herself up too much for trying Botox, that's a part of aging gracefully, whatever works for each of to feel and look our best, Oftentimes it isn't to look younger, it's about being able to look in the mirror and not see a horrifying image, you know the one that creeps up and one day when we no longer recognize ourselves? To each (her) own, and don't forget to celebrate along the way.

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