‘Work is a blessing:’ The gift of satisfying work in later life
Physician Alexis Carrel, recipient of the 1912 Nobel Prize in Medicine for pioneering work on vascular suturing, organ transplants and the aging of cells, famously said, “The aging man should neither stop working nor retire. Leisure is even more dangerous for the old than for the young.” That also applies to women, according to Mary…
Take an old song and make it better
The ancient Scriptures say “everything has its season.” But Jeanne Kelly – who lives in Tracy’s Landing with her husband Larry while devoting her bonus years to advancing the performing arts among older adults – says there is at least one exception. “As long as you can breathe and speak, you can sing. The gift…
Errrt! Errrt! No aches and pains before dessert
Unabridged from my Bonus Years column in the Lifestyle section of The Sunday Capital, Annapolis, Maryland My 95-year-old mother, who is making the most of her bonus years, living independently in a condo on the West Coast of Florida, is a font of wisdom. Not long ago, she said, “You know you’re getting old when half the names…
From old to gold in London
“People say I am a miracle, but I am just an ordinary old man.” Those are the words of Japan’s Hiroshi Hokestu, age 71, the oldest competitor in the 2012 Summer Games in London – and the oldest Olympian in 92 years. Hokestu-san is in London with his horse, Whisper, to compete in an equestrian…
Unexpected journeys can shape the bonus years
Unabridged from my Bonus Years column in the Lifestyle section of The Sunday Capital, Annapolis, Maryland It’s a dolls’ house. Not the kind your daughter received from Santa on her third Christmas. The dolls’ house I am taking about is in the historic district, near City Dock. It’s a house full of dolls. More than 500 dolls! Old…
A man on a mission has no time to retire
He was Indiana state swimming champ in the 100 yard butterfly. He graduated cum laude from Harvard with a degree in economics. He is now a cook in Annapolis. I’m talking about Craig Sewell, the owner-operator of A Cook’s Cafe – and a cook on a mission that does not include retirement. Though he passed his 60th birthday…
Neighbors helping neighbors to age in place
Unabridged from my Bonus Years column in the Lifestyle section of The Sunday Capital, Annapolis, Maryland There are two views of aging in America. In one, a 70 year-old woman drives another to the doctor. Across town, a later-life adult takes an even older neighbor to do her grocery shopping and then helps her bring the groceries into…
Time out to plan the bonus years
“Wait, wait! Don’t tell me,” as they say on the popular NPR variety show. And for many, lifestyles in the bonus years are, indeed, a surprise waiting to happen. But for others, what we have been is what we shall become. Indeed, for increasing numbers of Americans, the years following retirement only amplify the values…
Follow your passion, even in the bonus years
The idea of “leaving a legacy” is a popular bonus years theme. It came to mind a couple of weeks ago as I was driving past Severna Park High School and noticed the sign outside the sports arena. It reads, “The Andy Borland Field House.” Because I had a casual acquaintance with Andy Borland long…
Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing
I received an interesting email last week from a reader with the following comment: “It’s inspiring to read about people who continue to work, volunteer, take care of grand kids and do good things in their ‘retirement’ years. But I know there are people who want to do nothing. I know this is true because…