This is a wonderful story of a woman's resilience, self-awareness and humour - all necessary for good aging (plus luck to have our minds, some abilities, and resources ). The 'Goldie' in our family was Aunt Rose, who started every conversation with: 'never mind how I am, how are YOU?', a confidante for young and old, and who looked forward to her transition to the Chateau Cornwall because she could be more social. "I never did like our bungalow," she confided as we drove towards her new residence! Thank you Judith Newman for a wonderful story. May Goldie thrive until 109 and beyond.
I'm finding that it's important not to expect my new friends in the condo development where I moved at 77 to be the same as the old friends I had in the community where I lived for 50 years. I can enjoy them as they are without expectations and bring my older, more developed self to my new relationships.
An interesting comment. I made it a point of joining group activities in my apartment building when I moved in. I made the effort to accept people and befriend them. Are these people I would have been interested in say even 10 years ago? Probably not, but in my middle 70s I realized we did have a lot in common. When we get together there's a lot of laughter - worth its weight in gold! Companionship has become of greater value as I age and find it more and more difficult to get out to spend time with my other friends. Yes I still manage to get to the pool 3 mornings a week for an aquafit class (and visit with friends who show up); yes, I make a point of inviting those other friends for lunch every month or six weeks or so; yes, I make text/email contact with other friends who don't live in the same city (because I'm not travelling much any more). I didn't realize when I was apartment hunting that a community in the building was something important to have on the list. I discovered it was - I tell people now who are planning on moving from their homes into condo or rental living - "Make sure there's an active community in whatever building you decide to move into!". Put it near the top of the list!
We play cribbage on Monday nights - one of the women taught me in return for me teaching her to knit socks! There's coffee Tuesday morning - I don't have time to attend that, I reserve Tuesday for getting my hair cut, visiting the dentist.... Thursday evening another goofy card game - costs a looney to participate in a game (two games in an evening) - winner of the game wins the cash! Friday afternoon the knitters/crafters get together for a couple of hours of gossip and laughter. All of this activity is possible because there's a common room in the building! The activities have been initiated by tenants who thought there'd be people interested in doing something. Our Thursday evening group did pot luck dinners once a month/six weeks - that's been taken over post-COVID by a couple of volunteers who do the organizing in a semi official way - everybody in the building is invited for pizza. A surprising number of people show up. What I'm saying is if you take the initiative you can probably get something going - IF there's a location in the building that permits people to gather to engage in social activity.
Great story on so many levels! My grandmother became the oldest person in Santa Clara County to get “elective” hip surgery at 100 or 101. They kept telling her elective surgery isn’t done on people that age. My uncle jokingly said, if you break your hip on a fall, they will do it. Luckily, it never came to that. The fact that she outlived all the hoops they made her go through (sign offs from multiple doctors) led to the operation. She just celebrated her 103rd birthday and a new hip in its infancy. That’s awesome that Goldie was willing to move to an assisted living community and that she's determined to outlive the 108 person. I have several stories of relatives resisting the move.
Judith, I love this story of Aunt Goldie. Her ability to face transitions with grace inspires me to be like her when I get to her age. I hope the art captured her spirit!
Judith, good thoughts! It’s been a great life, and fully endorse your approach. My wife and I are both 80, and we enjoy the company of old and young, with laughter,
Sari, I'd have liked your Aunt Rose!
This is a wonderful story of a woman's resilience, self-awareness and humour - all necessary for good aging (plus luck to have our minds, some abilities, and resources ). The 'Goldie' in our family was Aunt Rose, who started every conversation with: 'never mind how I am, how are YOU?', a confidante for young and old, and who looked forward to her transition to the Chateau Cornwall because she could be more social. "I never did like our bungalow," she confided as we drove towards her new residence! Thank you Judith Newman for a wonderful story. May Goldie thrive until 109 and beyond.
Love Goldie - Will she start her own Substack? Perhaps a podcast telling us all how to 'grow up!' Give her hugs and bravo's from me please!
I would love to meet Goldie!! She’s quite an inspiration. Thank you for sharing her story!
Love this! Growing up is essential to aging successfully. Not easy for many, however. Go Goldie!
Thanks for sharing Goldie with us..
This is a great story! Goldie is clearly a flexible woman with an admirable way of moving through the world
I'm finding that it's important not to expect my new friends in the condo development where I moved at 77 to be the same as the old friends I had in the community where I lived for 50 years. I can enjoy them as they are without expectations and bring my older, more developed self to my new relationships.
An interesting comment. I made it a point of joining group activities in my apartment building when I moved in. I made the effort to accept people and befriend them. Are these people I would have been interested in say even 10 years ago? Probably not, but in my middle 70s I realized we did have a lot in common. When we get together there's a lot of laughter - worth its weight in gold! Companionship has become of greater value as I age and find it more and more difficult to get out to spend time with my other friends. Yes I still manage to get to the pool 3 mornings a week for an aquafit class (and visit with friends who show up); yes, I make a point of inviting those other friends for lunch every month or six weeks or so; yes, I make text/email contact with other friends who don't live in the same city (because I'm not travelling much any more). I didn't realize when I was apartment hunting that a community in the building was something important to have on the list. I discovered it was - I tell people now who are planning on moving from their homes into condo or rental living - "Make sure there's an active community in whatever building you decide to move into!". Put it near the top of the list!
Really good point. Where I'm living, there's not a lot of official activity but people are friendly and open to connection.
We play cribbage on Monday nights - one of the women taught me in return for me teaching her to knit socks! There's coffee Tuesday morning - I don't have time to attend that, I reserve Tuesday for getting my hair cut, visiting the dentist.... Thursday evening another goofy card game - costs a looney to participate in a game (two games in an evening) - winner of the game wins the cash! Friday afternoon the knitters/crafters get together for a couple of hours of gossip and laughter. All of this activity is possible because there's a common room in the building! The activities have been initiated by tenants who thought there'd be people interested in doing something. Our Thursday evening group did pot luck dinners once a month/six weeks - that's been taken over post-COVID by a couple of volunteers who do the organizing in a semi official way - everybody in the building is invited for pizza. A surprising number of people show up. What I'm saying is if you take the initiative you can probably get something going - IF there's a location in the building that permits people to gather to engage in social activity.
Approach to life: "Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone."
And as the Yiddish saying goes, "Until 120!" Goldie.
Just Grow Up: a memorable and nicely done piece.
Great story on so many levels! My grandmother became the oldest person in Santa Clara County to get “elective” hip surgery at 100 or 101. They kept telling her elective surgery isn’t done on people that age. My uncle jokingly said, if you break your hip on a fall, they will do it. Luckily, it never came to that. The fact that she outlived all the hoops they made her go through (sign offs from multiple doctors) led to the operation. She just celebrated her 103rd birthday and a new hip in its infancy. That’s awesome that Goldie was willing to move to an assisted living community and that she's determined to outlive the 108 person. I have several stories of relatives resisting the move.
Judith, I love this story of Aunt Goldie. Her ability to face transitions with grace inspires me to be like her when I get to her age. I hope the art captured her spirit!
Inspires me, too. The art definitely captured her spirit!
Judith, good thoughts! It’s been a great life, and fully endorse your approach. My wife and I are both 80, and we enjoy the company of old and young, with laughter,
not medical care. D
Thank you Judith. It's true that being open and positive goes around in a circle. And Stella's illustration is delightful as ever.
Thank you, Lin!
The illustration captures the essence of Goldie, I agree.
That’s so good to hear, Judith. Thank you!
Thank you Judith for this reminder. Being open and giving the best of yourself brings happiness for you and those around you. I love your story ❣️
Love this. We all need to grow where we’re planted.
Love this!