September 11th

I don’t know about you but I can’t believe we’re in September already! How fast it all goes.

            September is a month that will live in infamy because of September 11, 2001, a day when so many Americans lost their lives. No one who saw the horrible images that replayed on television that day will ever forget.  But there is more to September.

            Many people were born on September 11 and celebrate their birthdays with joy and hope. That includes one of my granddaughters. So, there is brightness, especially since it’s also Grandparents Day this year.

            Grandparents Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year, that’s Sunday, September 11! Even if grandparents are loved and remembered every day, it’s a day to take an extra moment to appreciate all the joy and wisdom they bring to families and share it with the young ones , especially those who live far from their grandparents.

            With today’s ease of communication via video, making the most of Grandparents Day is easy . The young and the not-so-young can spend time with their grandparents, laugh with them and show them how much they love them, all the while making new memories.

            It’s more than time for the world to make as much fuss about Grandparents Day as it does for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day don’t you think??

 

 

Elder Abuse

A few years back I was hospitalized for a surgical procedure. My roommate was an 84-year-old woman who was always cheery and did not appear sick. During my recuperation, she would get my tray from the food cart when it arrived on the ward, and in the afternoon she would bring me a cup of tea. After meals, she helped the nurses by picking up the trays from nearby rooms. Everyone, patients and staff, liked her.

When I inquired about her health she would only say she was under observation, so I asked one of the nurses. I was told that the lady had come into the hospital months earlier for a gynecological problem which was dealt with. Why was she still in hospital?

The nurse explained that before the woman was admitted, her only son had obtained a power of attorney “in case”. Then, while his mother was undergoing treatment, he absconded with her money without leaving a forwarding address. Hospital officials had put the woman on a waiting list for a senior residence she could afford on her pension, and in the meantime she remained in hospital. For the nurse who recounted the story, this was a disturbing trend.

The nurse also told me that on Mother’s Day the woman had asked if any mail had come for her. All she wanted was a word from her son, to know that he was all right. When I returned to the hospital a few weeks after my discharge, I learned that the lady had died. My nurse was convinced that she had willed her own death.

Many boomers face the reality of caring for aging parents and would never consider abandoning or otherwise mistreat them, but the statistics are there and are food for thought. If only one person in our society is being abused physically, financially, psychologically, I believe it’s everyone’s problem.

Senior abuse is happening today in the best of families. We cannot close our eyes to this ignominy. We must speak out, report it and make it an important issue for everyone living in our town, in our neighborhood. If we fail to do so, we become the silent conspirators of those who prey on the vulnerable.

 

Wise Ways for Life

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to have it all together? They are unstressed no matter what, no matter their age. Research shows that these people often have common traits or common habits which I read about and that you might wish to consider:

·       * Don’t do anything you will have to lie about later.

·        *Practice preventive maintenance in every aspect of your life, i.e. your car, your health, your teeth, your personal relationships.

·        *Do not procrastinate which is stressful. Hard work is often just the accumulation of easy things you didn’t do when you should have.

·      *  Take 30-minute walks every day, an easy way to cure stress and a great way to think.

·       * Seek the friendship of non-worriers.

·        * Simplify all areas of your life.

·        *Before speaking your mind, ask yourself if it is true, necessary and kind.

·        *Do at least one thing you enjoy every day.

·        * Laugh often.

·       * Learn to live one day at a time.

·        * Focus on understanding and loving.

·        * Keep smiling.

Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

What a Summer!                      

Like many people I am back to my routine after taking a break, something everyone needs. But even if you were far away for a while, there’s no way you could have avoided how climate is affecting people everywhere around the globe.                                                                                                There’s no way climate-change deniers can continue to preach that all is well and that people are exaggerating the damage being thrown at our planet. The summer is only half over yet we’ve seen all sorts of climate disasters from life-taking floods to fires that destroy forests and communities, from the highest recorded temperatures some regions have ever seen to once fertile land now so desolate no vegetation can grow. One thing I saw on the news and could not believe was a river of water in the desert.                                                                                                                    My question: Do we still have time to repair the damage? While most people are involved in doing their part, be it through composting, recycling, etc. we still have a lot to do. Almost everywhere single-use plastic bags are now banned and people bring their own reusable bags when they go shopping. No one is complaining even if they didn’t think it was feasible when the idea was first floated. How many fewer plastic bags are ending up in our rivers and oceans? As they say: It’s all good.

             It is, and we, humans, can adapt to lots of things if we set our minds to it especially if we all work together. Let’s hope we can rely on each other to do the right thing.   

A Real Winner

While watching the evening news a few days ago, I saw an interview with a man who had just won a huge amount of money in a lottery draw – more than 70 millions. He was besieged with the usual question: What are your plans for the money? The man replied: I will be donating it to Ukraine to help them rebuilt.

            What a refreshing notion! Normally lotto winners talk of trips, buying property, travel, and the like. Not this latest winner. He wanted his winnings to do something very positive for others. All those who bought tickets in the draw can feel good that their contributions will have a positive effect.

            Many years back I knew a family who won more than 30 million dollars in a lottery draw. I remember that some family members had put money in a pot and that several tickets were purchased. For some reason, the winnings were not divided the way they should have been which resulted in much dispute. Lawyers were involved and eventually courtroom drama. The end result was that the family ended up with a fraction of the original money won. How sad.

            Winners of large amounts of money often end up with nearly nothing because of bad decisions. I suppose if you never had much money and suddenly ended up with millions, you might go a little bonkers and not think too clearly. Certainly contrary to the winner who will donate his millions to Ukraine.

 

 

SUMMER BREAK

Summer is finally here! Glorious weeks set aside to enjoy the good weather. It is a shame that some people lose that joyful elation over the years, but it’s never too late to change our way of thinking.  I, for one, intend to celebrate life to the fullest in the coming weeks with family and friends and generally making it a point to do things that will take me out of my usual rut so I can move to a new tune for a while.

I am therefore taking a break, and will get back to my blog in August. Remember: you don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.

Have a great summer!

 

 

 

Beware of Cons

I was walking in my local mall recently when a man approached me to ask for money. I assumed the man to be in his early sixties but certainly not homeless. He was well dressed, well groomed and appeared to be in fine shape. His graying hair gave him a sophisticated look. He told me someone had stolen his wallet and that he had absolutely no money to get back home on the bus.

Being at an age that leads me to be somewhat weary of strangers wanting money—any amount—I told him that unfortunately I was broke myself. He then boldly suggested that we might go to an ATM where I could get cash so I could give him some money. I firmly told him no and walked away, but I did keep an eye on him. Women of varying ages seemed to be giving him $5 and $10. He was after all a poor boomer who had been victimized by a thief. Who could say no!

A bit later as I approached the ATM at one end of the mall, I saw an older woman trying to get money while the well groomed con man stood close by, no doubt trying to steal her card and PIN. Using my cell phone I dialed 911.              Luckily a patrol car must have been around the corner because two large policemen quickly entered the mall and accosted the man. After much talking, they took him away. I later learned that the man had been sought by authorities for milking older women of money. Just goes to show you that con men come in every age group.

 I’m not one to believe every sad story. I let my instincts guide me and I am rarely wrong. Of course, for me the best way to help others is to give to recognized charities. By doing so I’m sure the money goes to help those who really need it. Not con men.