The years I have been in my 70s have been filled with really great times. I'm writing this in case you aren't enthusiastic about the prospect of being old. Am I old? Nah, I figure that will hit at about 85. After all, Grandma died in her sleep at home two days after her 100th birthday... But I know that a lot of people consider old age to start at a really young figure, like 60 or something.
So here I'll tell you just a few stories from my 70s. Here I am on my 70th birthday. (Photos by me or my husband or family)
I'd been coloring my hair for several years but I grew it out for this birthday and I've stayed gray since. My husband and I were living in a small town in Colorado which had been our home base for over 20 years (not counting 2005 to 2010 when we lived by Lake Chapala in Mexico). I put an ad in the local paper saying come to my birthday open house, and bring food for the food bank instead of gifts for me. It was a good thing that my friend who ran the food bank came in her SUV, because we filled it up.
That birthday, I finally started writing a novel. I had written and published several nonfiction books before then, but my father was a highly regarded science fiction writer, Cordwainer Smith, and even though he died when I was in 20s, his reputation was still so great that I was hesitant to try fiction. But finally when I turned 70, I decided it didn't matter anymore! I wrote a cozy mystery:
And then two more in that series. But then I was tired of writing about murder and figuring out all the twists in the plots. So I stuck to blogging for a while, with my main site being about simple green living.
Recently, with my 75th birthday fast approaching, I decided it was time to hit the memoir trail. I have a whole bunch of them to write. The one I'm doing now is about the summer I was in Sierra Leone, West Africa, on a workcamp with Operation Crossroads Africa. It's the second one in my series so I will write the first one soon and launch them together.
My sweet, funny, and very creative husband and I have been married over 45 years. Here's the love letter I wrote him last year. And here we are back in the day:
A couple of years ago we moved. Now we are making new friends and enjoying the rather alternative culture in Silver City, NM. It was quite a convoy to move from Colorado:
I wasn't driving... too much of a princess for that! (Well, actually, fatigue has always been a challenge.)
So discovering steemit last week is another step...
My advice? Just keep going!
Wow, just an incredible journey! Thank you so much for sharing. I have always been in the belief that "old age" would be wonderful, the way I figure it, every year I learn more, so why would I want to be young forever, and lose out on all the wisdom and knowledge? Why would I ever want to be that stupid again? AHHAHAA!! Blessings to you and your dear husband!
Reading this put a momentary smile on my face. Thanks :)
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STOPWhat a fabulous post. You seem like your really living in the now and enjoying everything life's path has given you. I don't think this post of wisdom regarding old age will ever leave me. This was pure brilliance, Thank you.
Your birthday reminds me again of the freepotluck.org project I want to do. It would be a pay-way-you can or bring what you can (stone soupesque) thing. they extra food and money could go toward a community garden and kitchen...
You guys are cute! sweet looking couple :)
See you on the road!
It sounds like you've really got this "living" thing down, and you're enjoying the heck out of it. I applaud you. What an awesome and inspiring post.
Well, you got a follow from me. I LOVE not-old people who are well-traveled and write. I'm so happy to have come across your post!