Not a late start...but the joyful fruition of a well laid life of groundwork. You might not have been ready to take on the new roles, challenges and love if you hadn't spent the first 50 years becoming the incredible woman you are. I'm 52 and I like to think I've had a prologue and long first act and now I'm beginning a fast and exciting second act! Thanks for the inspiration and reminder.
Tomorrow I turn 61. I’d written down awhile back a goal of making books for my four grandchildren using art supplies and photographs I’ve already gathered. Your essay, in a roundabout way, has helped re-light that proverbial fire under me.
I’m happy you found love (I’m old school—I don’t congratulate brides). Although I married young, 23, my father was not at my wedding either. Forty-two is entirely too young to die, but an older brother who was more like his best friend, they grew up together—our parents were teenagers when they married, stood in as best he could.
You're welcome! It's a saying that always makes me smile when it has the twist. Yiddish was my first language and hearing it or reading it in any form reminds me of my parents.
Mr. Raphael: Is there a language as expressive as Yiddish? Anger vibrates in the mouth; joy shrieks to the heavens; the curses are to die for!
Yiddish is not my first language but having grown up in my (maternal) bubbie and zayde's house, where only (Litvishe !) Yiddish was spoken, I picked it up fast.
Linked here is a column I wrote for The Forward I thought you might enjoy.
My mother once said to her student rushing to cross a street with heavy traffic: "Better late in this world than early in the next" (in Yiddish of course).
Congratulations to you! Having met my partner and published my first book in my early sixties, I'm a big believer in late beginnings. Live long and prosper!
Thanks Dana! My next book launches August 29th. "Write & Sell a Well-Seasoned Romance" is a roadmap for other late bloomers to start their author adventures. Advance Review Copies dropped yesterday.
Thanks Dana! It will launch August 29th on all online stores (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, AppleBooks, etc.). And it will be available on order from your local bookstore. I'll publish a newsletter about the book at the end of June at www.stellafosse.com. Cheers!
I started voice lessons at 60, have made amazing progress, and found something truly wonderful. It started as a hobby and has become a passion. This is the first personal essay I published about the experience:
Thanks! One of the key things for me with voice has been doing it for *me*--not anyone else. I've been a touring author since 1990, here and in eight other countries, performing my own work and talking about it hundreds of times. The last thing I wanted was for voice to have a goal outside of getting better, learning more about technique, understanding my instrument, and studying the authors and their songs as a singer and as a writer. So there's no pressure in my lesson, just education and fun.
Beautifully written! Always evolving and learning, and appreciating life - the bad and the good. You’re an inspiration! Xoxo
Thank you, Mimi. You’re always so supportive of my writing.
I found my calling at 55 and worked - in the sense of going somewhere and getting paid -for ten years. But those ten years changed me forever.
That’s wonderful, Susie!
I was fortunate enough to become a Hospice chaplain, a form of work you really can't do when you're young.
Very nice.
One ever knows what is out there waiting. Congrats!!!
Very true. Thank you, Sally.
How wonderful- the essay and the journey and the ongoing possibilities!! So grateful to have shared it all!
Thanks, Dellie! As I said to Bayla, you’ve been there since day 1, and I am grateful for that.
Not a late start...but the joyful fruition of a well laid life of groundwork. You might not have been ready to take on the new roles, challenges and love if you hadn't spent the first 50 years becoming the incredible woman you are. I'm 52 and I like to think I've had a prologue and long first act and now I'm beginning a fast and exciting second act! Thanks for the inspiration and reminder.
So well said and insightful, Elizabeth. Thank you. I wish you the best of luck in your second act!
As usual, beautifully written..I remember sitting at the NYC Airport with you encouraging you to apply for that new job!! Xoxo
I remember that so well. Thank you!
what a ray of sunshine on a day of rain.
Oh, thank you so much, Anna.
Beautifully written and inspiring!
Thank you for taking the time to read my essay, Sylvie, and for your comment.
Tomorrow I turn 61. I’d written down awhile back a goal of making books for my four grandchildren using art supplies and photographs I’ve already gathered. Your essay, in a roundabout way, has helped re-light that proverbial fire under me.
I’m happy you found love (I’m old school—I don’t congratulate brides). Although I married young, 23, my father was not at my wedding either. Forty-two is entirely too young to die, but an older brother who was more like his best friend, they grew up together—our parents were teenagers when they married, stood in as best he could.
Leigh, you made my day. If I play some role - however small - in reigniting that passion, then sharing my story becomes that much more meaningful.
I am sorry that you lost your dad at such a young age. It’s always difficult, but I agree that is entirely too young.
The full saying is:
1--Biz hundert un tsvantsik--un drei monaten.
2--Farvoss drei monaten?
1--Zolst nisht shtarben plutzlung.
"May you live to 120--and 3 months."
"Why 3 months?"
"So you shouldn't die all of a sudden."
(Forgive my transliteration).
Thank you for this.
You're welcome! It's a saying that always makes me smile when it has the twist. Yiddish was my first language and hearing it or reading it in any form reminds me of my parents.
Mr. Raphael: Is there a language as expressive as Yiddish? Anger vibrates in the mouth; joy shrieks to the heavens; the curses are to die for!
Yiddish is not my first language but having grown up in my (maternal) bubbie and zayde's house, where only (Litvishe !) Yiddish was spoken, I picked it up fast.
Linked here is a column I wrote for The Forward I thought you might enjoy.
Zei gezunt/
https://forward.com/life/143471/american-soap-operas-taught-me-yiddish/
A sheynm dank!
My mother once said to her student rushing to cross a street with heavy traffic: "Better late in this world than early in the next" (in Yiddish of course).
Congratulations to you! Having met my partner and published my first book in my early sixties, I'm a big believer in late beginnings. Live long and prosper!
That’s wonderful! Congratulations to you as well, Stella.
Thanks Dana! My next book launches August 29th. "Write & Sell a Well-Seasoned Romance" is a roadmap for other late bloomers to start their author adventures. Advance Review Copies dropped yesterday.
Congrats, Stella. Where is your book available?
Thanks Dana! It will launch August 29th on all online stores (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, AppleBooks, etc.). And it will be available on order from your local bookstore. I'll publish a newsletter about the book at the end of June at www.stellafosse.com. Cheers!
I started voice lessons at 60, have made amazing progress, and found something truly wonderful. It started as a hobby and has become a passion. This is the first personal essay I published about the experience:
https://www.levraphael.com/healthyaging-levraphael.pdf
Congratulations, Lev.
Thanks! One of the key things for me with voice has been doing it for *me*--not anyone else. I've been a touring author since 1990, here and in eight other countries, performing my own work and talking about it hundreds of times. The last thing I wanted was for voice to have a goal outside of getting better, learning more about technique, understanding my instrument, and studying the authors and their songs as a singer and as a writer. So there's no pressure in my lesson, just education and fun.