I love what you wrote!! I will be 71 this year, turning 70 was my first birthday milestone. I never paid much attention to birthdays prior to the 70th. I’m still not over it, and soon I’ll be 71. Makes me laugh. The Salon sounds wonderful!!
Yes, yes, I love what you wrote. Well, I'm 90 with diminishing bandwidth and lots of physical challenges. I concentrate on whatever legacy I can leave that will be sustained and I love the process because I get to pour my creativity and my sense of completion into whatever I do and I'm doing that so it offsets the pain because I get so engaged in leaving the legacy and doing the decades of healing, anything unlike love, that the pain is more of an opportunity. I know that sounds strange even to me, but it's not so painful. That's the point, because the completion of this life is so much more powerful, simple, and straightforward. If I stay focused like on a tightrope, every step I take has to be rebalanced, and that takes up a lot of my energy, so it takes energy away from pain, if that makes any sense.
Omg I love you! I really get this, Regina. If I focus on what’s in front of me like a tightrope it does offset the pain and grief, and fear too. Wowsa! I hope you join us. I can’t wait to know you even better.
It's like a motivator for a better choice ...and once in action... the pain is no longer conscious. And, it could be less or gone when your mind checks in on it. But, be sure there is not a severe medical issue.
Happy birthday, Kelly. Why would you ever stop making plans, creating new work and kind spaces? It's who you are. A font of creativity and passion. Good job! xo
With my 69th looming in August, this year in particular, has me asking more and more, how DID I get here? (yes, a good song too!) For some unknown reason, the years in numbers seem to have suddenly snuck up on me and it's almost like I'm missing huge chunks of life. The woman in the mirror looking back at me catches me out as not me, but my mum, who suddenly died alone at 72. And I won't be that woman again.
The finally diagnosed serious degeneration of 3 vertebrae this last week, causing chronic pain and nerve damage for years with the thought of the now 'possible life changing' surgery, is almost like it's necessary for someone else! Like I am not that old body the surgeon talks about. How can it be? I'm the woman who has never stopped. Never not worked. Never laid in bed. Never been looked after. And now you expect me to do all that!
And yet, becoming 68 has brought me so much freedom of mind, curiosity, awe and wonder, Aquarian excitement for the future and, not giving a shit any more, well mostly! There are times when the shit builds up inside and we end up with the house and a particular man being sprayed with manure from a 60 year old silo. But the silo is getting more empty than it has ever been.
Having such a different mind and body catches you out. I don't ever want to be that 20/30 year old again but I wouldn't mind just a bit of her body back!
Anyway Kelly, I hope you had a great birthday week and......I hope you all have a really great conversation in this great Salon, as I slumber here on my own 'mountain time' (how weird is that too?) as if I am in another dimension, and hopefully I can catch a reply? 💚
I felt this, Sally! There is something so strange about realizing the age in the mirror doesn’t match the age inside. And seeing our mothers in the mirror! And yet, as you said, there can also be more freedom, curiosity, and wonder than ever before. Not to mention less giving a fuck about the bs. I’m sorry you’re carrying so much pain and uncertainty right now. I’m determined to meet aging’s challenges as best I can, but some days it feels bewildering. Thank you for sharing so honestly, and for being here with us.
I’m sorry to hear about your back problems and hope to hear that whatever is decided on and whatever happens regarding this is all success.
I have had some issues too (I am a bit older than you) but have found that age certainly does bring its own rewards.
As you say, the (mostly!) not giving a shit anymore ( because really there isn’t the time to waste on that) and also the ‘if not now, when ……….. ?’ thinking which has me thinking ‘well, why not …………. ?’ about new things.
And also, there is (if we allow it) the becoming the person we truly are / were always meant to be. (Discussed with Kelly in comments below.)
I’m thinking here of you now coming into yourself as artist. Your talent now blooming and recognised. Your work is beautiful.
Thank you SO much for thinking of me Kay. That’s so kind. 🩷 I must keep positive and find out as much information as I can going forward to make right decisions about the surgery. What concerns me as much is the after care. My husband does not address me being unwell too good or at all to be fair, which has been rare in our 50 years of marriage. And so often finds it difficult to look after himself! Also community care in Spain after surgery does not exist so you’re on your own. So although I am very resilient it’s a bit of a worry. But I’ve always got through things and yes my art is driving me every day!!
I wish you all the very best with everything, Sally - this including that any support you want after your surgery will be there for you. Even if not from your husband!
I have found before, more than once that, seemingly out of nowhere, something I very much needed has arrived.
So let’s hold that thought in mind for you!
And yes, you now have your beautiful art.
I am in London, otherwise I’d drop by to visit, carrying large quantities of care and flowers. 🩷
Yes as David Bowie said, ““Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” He also said, “Age doesn’t bother me. So many of my heroes were older guys. It’s the lack of years left that weighs far heavier on me than the age that I am.” Glad you like it! Hope to see you there.
Oh darn, Kay. Maybe at some point we’ll add one for those across the pond around the world. It’s great to talk and find you in the comments either way and you’ll be missed!
Ok you are on. I will try but my life is topsy-turvy. I have only been silent when it was obvious that reasoning would be a waste of time, energy and breath. As for money thar’s something I’ve learned is negotiable. I have so little of it that I simply think of the pragmatics health, food, shelter, abandoned animals and doing my own creative work. Good on you.
I think there comes a point where we stop confusing money with value. Health, food, shelter, animals, creative work, and the people we care about are what matter. I’m glad you’re here, topsy-turvy and all. ❤️
At 84 the sand in this hourglass is running its own clock. I don’t have time to waste. So I don’t you sound like you have reached a peak point to engage you energies in the most positive and productive ways. Brava
I have a post coming out tomorrow that is similar in essence to this post, Kelly. At 73, the questions feel so much more important. I love what you're doing with the salon!
Took the words right out of my heart. Thank you for articulating this so beautifully ❤️
Thank you for your heart Demian! Hope to see you at the salon.
It’s in my calendar ❤️
Woot!
I can hardly wait!! June 30th!
Yay, Abigail!!! 🫶💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
I have added ‘Women Are Talking’ to my calendar. Looking forward to it!
Awesome! Looking forward to meeting you!
I really like the sound of this.. great idea.
That last but one poster with the flames licking her feet & the woman lighting up despite being bound to her cross, says it all!
Fuck it! Let’s do it. 💃🏻
Kelly, happy birthday! Today I turned 67 and share many of the same sentiments you wrote about.
It’s good that Geminis are always starting something! Look forward to Women are Talking.
Yay!!! Thanks Frances! 😎I am looking forward to this! A fellow Gemini! Love it.
I love what you wrote!! I will be 71 this year, turning 70 was my first birthday milestone. I never paid much attention to birthdays prior to the 70th. I’m still not over it, and soon I’ll be 71. Makes me laugh. The Salon sounds wonderful!!
70 is kind of a threshold it appears. For me, too. 🤪It’s like suddenly birthdays are real AF. Haha Thanks for showing up here!
Yes, yes, I love what you wrote. Well, I'm 90 with diminishing bandwidth and lots of physical challenges. I concentrate on whatever legacy I can leave that will be sustained and I love the process because I get to pour my creativity and my sense of completion into whatever I do and I'm doing that so it offsets the pain because I get so engaged in leaving the legacy and doing the decades of healing, anything unlike love, that the pain is more of an opportunity. I know that sounds strange even to me, but it's not so painful. That's the point, because the completion of this life is so much more powerful, simple, and straightforward. If I stay focused like on a tightrope, every step I take has to be rebalanced, and that takes up a lot of my energy, so it takes energy away from pain, if that makes any sense.
Omg I love you! I really get this, Regina. If I focus on what’s in front of me like a tightrope it does offset the pain and grief, and fear too. Wowsa! I hope you join us. I can’t wait to know you even better.
Hope to see you in the future.
I love what you say here, Regina - the taking energy away from the pain.
Glad it is helpful.
It certainly is, Regina. Wise and inspiring. Thank you.
I love this so much Regina, ‘ that the pain is more like an opportunity’💜
It's like a motivator for a better choice ...and once in action... the pain is no longer conscious. And, it could be less or gone when your mind checks in on it. But, be sure there is not a severe medical issue.
I love that so much. It reminds me of what one of my teachers says, https://youtu.be/1a3lRGqPeR4?is=hoe9zNj0NiP92cpE
I love that so much. It reminds me of “energy follows attention” and what one of my teachers says about pain, https://youtu.be/1a3lRGqPeR4?is=hoe9zNj0NiP92cpE
Happy birthday, Kelly. Why would you ever stop making plans, creating new work and kind spaces? It's who you are. A font of creativity and passion. Good job! xo
Thank you,Nan! You see me. I hope I never stop. I want to squeeze every last drop of joy and juice to the very end. 💃🏻
ME TOO! xo
I love this post. I relate. And I so love you.
❤️😍😘🫶🥰mutual!!! Mwah 💋
Kelly, Great plan. I'm 79 and happen to like it!!
See you then.
Laurie
lauriehollmanphd.com
Thrilled to find you here, Laurie! Looking forward to it. 😍
With my 69th looming in August, this year in particular, has me asking more and more, how DID I get here? (yes, a good song too!) For some unknown reason, the years in numbers seem to have suddenly snuck up on me and it's almost like I'm missing huge chunks of life. The woman in the mirror looking back at me catches me out as not me, but my mum, who suddenly died alone at 72. And I won't be that woman again.
The finally diagnosed serious degeneration of 3 vertebrae this last week, causing chronic pain and nerve damage for years with the thought of the now 'possible life changing' surgery, is almost like it's necessary for someone else! Like I am not that old body the surgeon talks about. How can it be? I'm the woman who has never stopped. Never not worked. Never laid in bed. Never been looked after. And now you expect me to do all that!
And yet, becoming 68 has brought me so much freedom of mind, curiosity, awe and wonder, Aquarian excitement for the future and, not giving a shit any more, well mostly! There are times when the shit builds up inside and we end up with the house and a particular man being sprayed with manure from a 60 year old silo. But the silo is getting more empty than it has ever been.
Having such a different mind and body catches you out. I don't ever want to be that 20/30 year old again but I wouldn't mind just a bit of her body back!
Anyway Kelly, I hope you had a great birthday week and......I hope you all have a really great conversation in this great Salon, as I slumber here on my own 'mountain time' (how weird is that too?) as if I am in another dimension, and hopefully I can catch a reply? 💚
I felt this, Sally! There is something so strange about realizing the age in the mirror doesn’t match the age inside. And seeing our mothers in the mirror! And yet, as you said, there can also be more freedom, curiosity, and wonder than ever before. Not to mention less giving a fuck about the bs. I’m sorry you’re carrying so much pain and uncertainty right now. I’m determined to meet aging’s challenges as best I can, but some days it feels bewildering. Thank you for sharing so honestly, and for being here with us.
Thanks Kelly. 🧡
Sally, your post here has stayed in my mind.
I’m sorry to hear about your back problems and hope to hear that whatever is decided on and whatever happens regarding this is all success.
I have had some issues too (I am a bit older than you) but have found that age certainly does bring its own rewards.
As you say, the (mostly!) not giving a shit anymore ( because really there isn’t the time to waste on that) and also the ‘if not now, when ……….. ?’ thinking which has me thinking ‘well, why not …………. ?’ about new things.
And also, there is (if we allow it) the becoming the person we truly are / were always meant to be. (Discussed with Kelly in comments below.)
I’m thinking here of you now coming into yourself as artist. Your talent now blooming and recognised. Your work is beautiful.
Wishing you well.
Thank you SO much for thinking of me Kay. That’s so kind. 🩷 I must keep positive and find out as much information as I can going forward to make right decisions about the surgery. What concerns me as much is the after care. My husband does not address me being unwell too good or at all to be fair, which has been rare in our 50 years of marriage. And so often finds it difficult to look after himself! Also community care in Spain after surgery does not exist so you’re on your own. So although I am very resilient it’s a bit of a worry. But I’ve always got through things and yes my art is driving me every day!!
I wish you all the very best with everything, Sally - this including that any support you want after your surgery will be there for you. Even if not from your husband!
I have found before, more than once that, seemingly out of nowhere, something I very much needed has arrived.
So let’s hold that thought in mind for you!
And yes, you now have your beautiful art.
I am in London, otherwise I’d drop by to visit, carrying large quantities of care and flowers. 🩷
Oh thank you again Kay. Yes oftentimes things work out for the best or better than you think.
At least I should have plenty of time to do more art and Substack! I’ll let you know how things go. 🌸
Yes, please do let me know how things go, Sally. 🌸
Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday, Kelly.
I am now 69, and it’s only as I’ve got older that I’ve become who I truly am.
And it took quite a lot of stuff to be lived through before I got here!
The Salon sounds like a great idea.
Yes as David Bowie said, ““Aging is an extraordinary process whereby you become the person you always should have been.” He also said, “Age doesn’t bother me. So many of my heroes were older guys. It’s the lack of years left that weighs far heavier on me than the age that I am.” Glad you like it! Hope to see you there.
And he was right. Yes - I would say that the lack of years left weighs heavier on me also.
So the thing to do is to make absolutely the most of what time there is left.
Particularly as we don’t know how long that time will be.
I would very much like to join your salon discussion, but am in London and time will be late night here.
Oh darn, Kay. Maybe at some point we’ll add one for those across the pond around the world. It’s great to talk and find you in the comments either way and you’ll be missed!
Thank you, Kelly!
If you were in Austin we would be instant friends I feel the same way and highway women is now in my funeral playlist
For real. Such a great song, right? Glad to find you here, Devo.
Ok you are on. I will try but my life is topsy-turvy. I have only been silent when it was obvious that reasoning would be a waste of time, energy and breath. As for money thar’s something I’ve learned is negotiable. I have so little of it that I simply think of the pragmatics health, food, shelter, abandoned animals and doing my own creative work. Good on you.
I think there comes a point where we stop confusing money with value. Health, food, shelter, animals, creative work, and the people we care about are what matter. I’m glad you’re here, topsy-turvy and all. ❤️
At 84 the sand in this hourglass is running its own clock. I don’t have time to waste. So I don’t you sound like you have reached a peak point to engage you energies in the most positive and productive ways. Brava
🥰thank you.
I have a post coming out tomorrow that is similar in essence to this post, Kelly. At 73, the questions feel so much more important. I love what you're doing with the salon!
Thank you, Paulette! I can’t wait to read it. Great to find you here. 🫶