For some reason, I read this whole interview, foolishly thinking that Ann Richardson was Ann Richards, former governor of Texas, and being amazed she was living in the UK. She is actually no longer with us, and I amaze myself at how silly I am sometimes. I really like Ann Richardson.
Some of us past 80 may have a different perspective than the younger crowd. In the words of J.K. Simmons in that insurance ad, "We know a lot of things because we have seen a lot of things." Looking at finishing up year 87 in June, (no guarantees) I count each day a gift and a blessing. My recent post here "Life, Death and In Between" is very much in the same arena.
This interview was wonderful, and informative, and the comments section equally engaging. Having turned 65 last month and phasing out a company, with youngest child in college & oldest with a two year old of his own, life is a tad chaotic in ways very different than ‘usual’ for me. One of (many) highlights is the new-found ability to visit my 92 year old parents for several days at a time, where we spend hours enjoying in-home dinners & lively conversations. Age can indeed be a gift.
I started Iyengar yoga at age 53 and it took me until age 59 to be able to stand on my head. Each year on my birthday since then I share a photo on social media of me standing on my head. Now I know I have at least another 15 years of this to look forward to! Love, love, love this inspiration, Ann.
I started at 50, so no big difference, but I had a natural aptitude for headstands (my yoga teacher said I was an opossum in a previous life, or possibly a bat!) so I was there within two years. Did you see the video on my Substack? I am going to write a thank you note separately.
“And third, if you are lucky, there are grandchildren in your life. The grandparent-grandchild relationship – whether the latter is a baby or a teenager – is one of the best relationships in the whole world. It is driven by love and delight and nothing else.” This is so very much my experience. It’s startling how much my relationships with my grandchildren has enriched my life.
What a great interview/post. I'm 66 and had to laugh today when I met someone in their late 40s who, when they met me and after I told her my age, exclaimed with robust exclamation points in the air, "You're so fit!!!!!" I'm getting older, will be 67 in July, but feel as energetic and curious as in my early 30s, and I'm way more confident. The confidence is like no longer holding one's breath. It's the best. I, too, love growing older, have no fear of death, and am thankful for every new day.
Lovely interview Ann. As I move into my 50s and transition through menopause, I am loving finding inspiring role models of older women challenging the myths and stereotypes of aging. Thank you for being one of them 😍🙏
Love, love, love the interview. At 71 I can readily identify and as others have said, it's great hearing that others are having similar thoughts and experiences. I read Ann's substack and am so glad it led me to yours. Sign me up!
Debbie and Ann thank you for this fantastic interview! I find it so inspiring and uplifting to hear from people ahead of me (I'm 57). My parents did not age as I hope to age so I am searching for people like you who live with vitality. I appreciate the frankness of your answers Ann, that you're not sugar-coating what it's like to be in your 80's. Like you, I have found early morning to be my best part of day and it has never occurred to me that my mornings might slow right down and it take me longer to get going. Not sure why I haven't thought of that but I appreciate the heads up!
Donna, I’m having the same reaction. So many wry and useful observations from Ann about life and work and love. I found her comments about getting tired and loss of energy to be especially illuminating.
All these lovely linkages between Substack writers. I’m just a reader and hitting my limit of the number I can fit in to read each week, but it’s really feeling like a family. So thought provoking. (I’m 65 and single and happier than I can ever recall.) Thanks so much Ann and Debbie and David. 🤗🤗
Thank you, Ann, for setting an example of vibrant, truth-telling old age. And thank you, Debbie, for spreading Ann’s message. At 74, I have never felt so comfortable being who I am.
Rona, it's odd, isn't it? As my body degenerates, my mind (or should I say state-of-mind) is noticeably improving. Yes, comfortable with who we are is just the right way to describe it.
I enjoyed reading this. I am 63, I was very closed to my mom, she died seven years ago. I think about my own death and my husband’s death everyday.
In some ways my mind doesn’t feel older, but I do get tired out sooner than I used to both mentally and physically. When younger, I went through a period of mental illness that I feel has resolved, though mental health professionals say it is “chronic and persistent,” so I am always cautious that I might return. I think that I learned to identify triggers and avoid them. I suppose that is having both emotional and mental maturity.
Naomi, so good to hear that one can learn to identify "triggers." I feel the same way about becoming much more aware when I'm sliding into a period of depression. Thanks for writing. And yes, I worry about my husband's eventual death (if he dies first) and how I will deal with that.
I'm so happy that you two met in the comments section on one of my posts, especially after reading this terrific interview.
I just turned 62 and have felt that sense of confidence that Ann refers to increase significantly over the past few years. I attribute a lot of that evolution to writing personal essays, which has led me to learn a lot about myself. Also, to reading a great deal on Substack and encountering all sorts of different points of view, many of which have challenged and changed my thinking.
My biggest takeaway is that there's a good chance that my wife and I can look forward to decades of sex. Thanks Ann for giving me that cheerful hope!
I am no great expert on sex , but I do think people need reassurance that it doesn’t have to stop.
did write a post about orgasms (female) but that was partly to see if I could and, I thought to myself, if I can’t do so at 80, when could I? Surprisingly, it is one of my least frequently read posts. Go figure.
Ann, proves my point (or my hunch) that people (even our age) think about sex but don't like to talk about it, from a personal perspective, much. So I'm not going to talk about my sex life in a comment... Not sure "sex" will make it onto my list of essay topics... but maybe?!
Well it’s a rather private matter. I thought I was being rather open as these things go. But I gather President Biden has admitted (or was it his wife?) to being sexually active at a similar age so perhaps I am starting a trend
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
For some reason, I read this whole interview, foolishly thinking that Ann Richardson was Ann Richards, former governor of Texas, and being amazed she was living in the UK. She is actually no longer with us, and I amaze myself at how silly I am sometimes. I really like Ann Richardson.
this Ann is more fun…
Some of us past 80 may have a different perspective than the younger crowd. In the words of J.K. Simmons in that insurance ad, "We know a lot of things because we have seen a lot of things." Looking at finishing up year 87 in June, (no guarantees) I count each day a gift and a blessing. My recent post here "Life, Death and In Between" is very much in the same arena.
This interview was wonderful, and informative, and the comments section equally engaging. Having turned 65 last month and phasing out a company, with youngest child in college & oldest with a two year old of his own, life is a tad chaotic in ways very different than ‘usual’ for me. One of (many) highlights is the new-found ability to visit my 92 year old parents for several days at a time, where we spend hours enjoying in-home dinners & lively conversations. Age can indeed be a gift.
I started Iyengar yoga at age 53 and it took me until age 59 to be able to stand on my head. Each year on my birthday since then I share a photo on social media of me standing on my head. Now I know I have at least another 15 years of this to look forward to! Love, love, love this inspiration, Ann.
I started at 50, so no big difference, but I had a natural aptitude for headstands (my yoga teacher said I was an opossum in a previous life, or possibly a bat!) so I was there within two years. Did you see the video on my Substack? I am going to write a thank you note separately.
I did see the video and I subscribed! And the conversation about sex...well thatʻs a whole other inspiration (wink).
Thank you for this, Ann. I love your attitude. You are an inspiration to me as I step forward into my next chapter!
“And third, if you are lucky, there are grandchildren in your life. The grandparent-grandchild relationship – whether the latter is a baby or a teenager – is one of the best relationships in the whole world. It is driven by love and delight and nothing else.” This is so very much my experience. It’s startling how much my relationships with my grandchildren has enriched my life.
Wonderful interview!
What a great interview/post. I'm 66 and had to laugh today when I met someone in their late 40s who, when they met me and after I told her my age, exclaimed with robust exclamation points in the air, "You're so fit!!!!!" I'm getting older, will be 67 in July, but feel as energetic and curious as in my early 30s, and I'm way more confident. The confidence is like no longer holding one's breath. It's the best. I, too, love growing older, have no fear of death, and am thankful for every new day.
Mary, please join in here by telling us more about yourself! https://debbieweil.substack.com/p/calling-all-bold-women-please-introduce
Great phrase ‘like no longer holding one’s breath’. I might use it some day but won’t claim it as my own.
Lovely interview Ann. As I move into my 50s and transition through menopause, I am loving finding inspiring role models of older women challenging the myths and stereotypes of aging. Thank you for being one of them 😍🙏
Love, love, love the interview. At 71 I can readily identify and as others have said, it's great hearing that others are having similar thoughts and experiences. I read Ann's substack and am so glad it led me to yours. Sign me up!
Debbie and Ann thank you for this fantastic interview! I find it so inspiring and uplifting to hear from people ahead of me (I'm 57). My parents did not age as I hope to age so I am searching for people like you who live with vitality. I appreciate the frankness of your answers Ann, that you're not sugar-coating what it's like to be in your 80's. Like you, I have found early morning to be my best part of day and it has never occurred to me that my mornings might slow right down and it take me longer to get going. Not sure why I haven't thought of that but I appreciate the heads up!
Donna, I’m having the same reaction. So many wry and useful observations from Ann about life and work and love. I found her comments about getting tired and loss of energy to be especially illuminating.
Standing on her head..I barely can stand on my feet..this is a great article...now need to read more of her works!
Sure, lots to choose from! Ann R. is quite prolific. My husband @samharrington (writes occasionally on Substack) especially liked this one. He's a retired physician interested in end-of-life issues: https://arichardson.substack.com/p/determining-the-timing-of-our-own
All these lovely linkages between Substack writers. I’m just a reader and hitting my limit of the number I can fit in to read each week, but it’s really feeling like a family. So thought provoking. (I’m 65 and single and happier than I can ever recall.) Thanks so much Ann and Debbie and David. 🤗🤗
Beth, I feel the same way. So much to read but such interesting and provocative writers - and readers!
Thank you, Ann, for setting an example of vibrant, truth-telling old age. And thank you, Debbie, for spreading Ann’s message. At 74, I have never felt so comfortable being who I am.
Rona, it's odd, isn't it? As my body degenerates, my mind (or should I say state-of-mind) is noticeably improving. Yes, comfortable with who we are is just the right way to describe it.
I enjoyed reading this. I am 63, I was very closed to my mom, she died seven years ago. I think about my own death and my husband’s death everyday.
In some ways my mind doesn’t feel older, but I do get tired out sooner than I used to both mentally and physically. When younger, I went through a period of mental illness that I feel has resolved, though mental health professionals say it is “chronic and persistent,” so I am always cautious that I might return. I think that I learned to identify triggers and avoid them. I suppose that is having both emotional and mental maturity.
Naomi, so good to hear that one can learn to identify "triggers." I feel the same way about becoming much more aware when I'm sliding into a period of depression. Thanks for writing. And yes, I worry about my husband's eventual death (if he dies first) and how I will deal with that.
I'm so happy that you two met in the comments section on one of my posts, especially after reading this terrific interview.
I just turned 62 and have felt that sense of confidence that Ann refers to increase significantly over the past few years. I attribute a lot of that evolution to writing personal essays, which has led me to learn a lot about myself. Also, to reading a great deal on Substack and encountering all sorts of different points of view, many of which have challenged and changed my thinking.
My biggest takeaway is that there's a good chance that my wife and I can look forward to decades of sex. Thanks Ann for giving me that cheerful hope!
David, keep us posted!
Thanks. I’m happy we did too.
I am no great expert on sex , but I do think people need reassurance that it doesn’t have to stop.
did write a post about orgasms (female) but that was partly to see if I could and, I thought to myself, if I can’t do so at 80, when could I? Surprisingly, it is one of my least frequently read posts. Go figure.
I would read that post!
Ann, proves my point (or my hunch) that people (even our age) think about sex but don't like to talk about it, from a personal perspective, much. So I'm not going to talk about my sex life in a comment... Not sure "sex" will make it onto my list of essay topics... but maybe?!
Well it’s a rather private matter. I thought I was being rather open as these things go. But I gather President Biden has admitted (or was it his wife?) to being sexually active at a similar age so perhaps I am starting a trend