Love your straightforward reporting. I'm finding a real affinity for the brown, dried-up leaves and vines now that high fall has passed. I'm looking at them as exemplars of aging and dying off. It feels comforting to see with my own eyes how natural this is.
Very sweet message for my 75, going on 76 soon, heart to take in, as I am able. Some of what's been said here applies to me already. Sharing our aging stories helps in mysterious ways that bring connection and gratitude. Thank you for publishing this!
A cool and unsparing look at aging into one's 90's. Approaching that mark myself, I am grateful for this shared experience of no-knowing, no-certainty and yet-living.
Beautiful, provocative essay that deserves a wide audience. At almost 78, I so appreciate words and wisdom from those ahead of me on this last journey. Thanks.
What a line! "Most of us thought we had more to do with it than we actually did". It doesn't help that
the media is filled with all kinds of advice about how to stave off the inevitable. Like playing word games to reduce cognitive disability etc. I mean really....
Judith--the media doesn't seem to have a clue. They seem to thiink that if you do some things right, it will all be fine. Maybe the advice columns are written by people under 40.
Thanks for your vulnerability, Peggy. In the deep loss I've experienced of my beloved, I've wondered whether life is about loss, as you suggest: As we strive to connect -- with ourselves, with others -- loss constantly impedes us, til it does so permanently.
Liv, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope I didn't sound like I meant that life is about loss; it's just that aging is much thicker with it but connection remains crucial tho it's hard after such a major loss.
Thank you, Peggy, for what awaits. In the 80 turn I'm still not seeing what awaits but feeling it. It helps to have vision now, and you helped me see things that I know are coming. I try each day to produce the same old me, mentoring, golfing, competing with grandkids and kids. Enjoying my wife and I's morning rituals, knowing only what I really is coming my way. Susie, thanks for posting Peggy Braun's
Thank you, Peggy. I appreciate all the straightforward language and detail here. At almost 77, I live with my 82 year old husband in a small independent living community with quite a few people over 90. Most are remarkably present to those around them despite their physical ups and downs. My immediate neighbors, 97 and 99, recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. He is still quite agile physically and they both have beautiful manners. I have wondered whether their graciousness and interest in others is a big part of what has kept them around so long.
Oh, Peggy, this so resonates with me at the age of 78, which is just a number, isn’t it? It’s especially frustrating to experience the fatigue, but if the alternative is to miss out on so many new experiences and the thrill of watching my grandsons grow and develop into amazing young men, I’ll take it.
Love your straightforward reporting. I'm finding a real affinity for the brown, dried-up leaves and vines now that high fall has passed. I'm looking at them as exemplars of aging and dying off. It feels comforting to see with my own eyes how natural this is.
Yes, Susie, we are the leaves.
Very sweet message for my 75, going on 76 soon, heart to take in, as I am able. Some of what's been said here applies to me already. Sharing our aging stories helps in mysterious ways that bring connection and gratitude. Thank you for publishing this!
Yes, Padme, sometimes it starts earlier. I'm glad it helps to share.
A cool and unsparing look at aging into one's 90's. Approaching that mark myself, I am grateful for this shared experience of no-knowing, no-certainty and yet-living.
I really like your no-knowiing, no-certainty and yet-living. Thank you.
Beautiful, provocative essay that deserves a wide audience. At almost 78, I so appreciate words and wisdom from those ahead of me on this last journey. Thanks.
Thank you, Betsy. it sounds like your ears are open; I'm not so sure I could have heard this at 78.
What a line! "Most of us thought we had more to do with it than we actually did". It doesn't help that
the media is filled with all kinds of advice about how to stave off the inevitable. Like playing word games to reduce cognitive disability etc. I mean really....
Judith--the media doesn't seem to have a clue. They seem to thiink that if you do some things right, it will all be fine. Maybe the advice columns are written by people under 40.
right on!
Thanks for your vulnerability, Peggy. In the deep loss I've experienced of my beloved, I've wondered whether life is about loss, as you suggest: As we strive to connect -- with ourselves, with others -- loss constantly impedes us, til it does so permanently.
Liv, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope I didn't sound like I meant that life is about loss; it's just that aging is much thicker with it but connection remains crucial tho it's hard after such a major loss.
Thank you, Peggy, for what awaits. In the 80 turn I'm still not seeing what awaits but feeling it. It helps to have vision now, and you helped me see things that I know are coming. I try each day to produce the same old me, mentoring, golfing, competing with grandkids and kids. Enjoying my wife and I's morning rituals, knowing only what I really is coming my way. Susie, thanks for posting Peggy Braun's
voice. D
Daryl--I deeply appreciate your williingness to look.
Thank you, Peggy. I appreciate all the straightforward language and detail here. At almost 77, I live with my 82 year old husband in a small independent living community with quite a few people over 90. Most are remarkably present to those around them despite their physical ups and downs. My immediate neighbors, 97 and 99, recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. He is still quite agile physically and they both have beautiful manners. I have wondered whether their graciousness and interest in others is a big part of what has kept them around so long.
I am also in a independent living place and it is a deep education to be here.
It’s my Buddhist leanings. Death is to be kept in mind.
YES.
Thank you. I very much appreciate your honesty. There is sadness and happiness in what you write.
Yes, there is.
Oh, Peggy, this so resonates with me at the age of 78, which is just a number, isn’t it? It’s especially frustrating to experience the fatigue, but if the alternative is to miss out on so many new experiences and the thrill of watching my grandsons grow and develop into amazing young men, I’ll take it.
Yes, Kathleen, the numbers aren't definite but glad you are making sure you get to watch your grandsons.
A thoughtful, honest and wise look at the aging process. Thank you, Peggy.
Thank you, Paula. I tried to be honest.
A beautiful and truthful piece, Peggy. Thank you. And I love your bio, too!
I love your bio too.
Brave words that need to be heeded, especially by all who've passed the 70 threshold.
Good if you can but hard to heed till you get there.
Thanks Peggy
I so appreciate your honest honesty and sense of humor too.
Thanks Susie for publishing
Thank you Ani.
It's brave to face great age without sugar-coating it. And if Peggy does figure out how to report from the other side, I am ALL ears.
If I can, Jan, believe me, I will but better souls than I have probably tried.
Maybe we just don't know how to hear them . . .