Lately, I have been helping “active seniors” at a “luxurious senior living community” (this is where my Grammy and Popsie live). I have to admit, I have a good time. Not my calling in life- but a good time is certainly had. There are a few that really stand out to me, they stand out as truly brilliant and lovely people. Every bit of time I spend with them, I spend learning. Learning all sorts of things about life and love and what it means to age.

Love at any age…

There are a few “couples” in this community. They are often the topic of conversation around the lunch table. Some people are jealous, some are scandalized, and some are simply impressed that they feel up to a little romance. There is one couple in particular that I adore and they definitely a romantic one. Willy and Maggie have been “going steady” for quite some time now. Recently, Willy gave Maggie what he called a “forever ring”. I asked Willy if it meant they were engaged to be married, he smiled at me and said “I love her too much to marry her.” Now, had I heard this from anyone under the age of 60 I would have called major BS, but from Willy it was genuine and loving. Willy had a stroke not too long ago and it has caused some problems in his speech and mobility (although he does still drive) and he confided to me that he didn’t want Maggie (who had already suffered the stresses of an ill husband) to feel like she had to take care of him all the time. Willy wanted Maggie to have an “out” in case things got a little too serious in the health department. Their love for one another is on another level. In fact, all aspects of their love are intense. Willy wears a lifeline monitor around his neck, in case he were to have a fall or health crisis all he would need to do was press that button and help would come running. One day, his lifeline monitor began going off, the staff ran up to his room and let themselves in. What they found was Willy and Maggie kissing each other so hard on holding on so tight that Maggie had pressed against his monitor and set it off. Neither one of them was embarrassed or ashamed at being caught like two hormonal teenagers- actually they were rather proud. The love and affection they have for one another blows me away every time I’m around them and shows me that love, real passion-filled love, can come at any age.

Your hands should always be soft, otherwise, who would want to hold them?

Those weekly medication boxes may seem unnecessary but trust me, you do NOT want to mess-up your meds. Just ask Sally the “bird-woman” who earned her nickname chasing bids because she confused her morning and night pills.

Always have a sweater handy.

15 minutes early is late.

Cold hands, warm heart.

Bow-ties are the height of elegance for a man.

You are never too old to try something new. My Grammy can tell you all about this one- she was raised a strict no-dancing Baptist and she now is a member of the Dancing Guys and Dolls line-dancing group. They are trying to get on Letterman, pass the word around.

Be kind- always be kind…

Kindness goes so far, it can literally change someone’s day. Even just a smile and a sweet word or two makes all the difference in the world. At first I thought it was simply because everyone I was being kind to was a senior adult. I assumed they were just easily pleased. Then I began to notice how it made me feel when they returned my kindness- when they remembered I had an important meeting or that I was going out of town for the weekend- it absolutely lifted my spirits. I don’t know, maybe I’m easily pleased, but really I just think it has something to do with kindness and I want to remember that always. If there is only one thing people say about me, I hope it’s that I’m kind.

Note: I changed the names just in case