“Siempre adelante! Keep moving forward!”

Posted on September 25, 2015 by bakrawiec

https://barbarasut.wordpress.com/ said it first in a comment on Tuesday:

“Don’t look back! There’s a whole, wide wonderful world outside the classroom for you to discover and contribute to. As a former teacher you have a lot of talents to share should you decide to do so. Welcome to the world of retirement!”

Now, thanks to Pope Francis’ homily the next day, I have a Latin phrase to encapsulate the essence of the blogger’s encouragement:

“Siempre adelante! Keep moving forward!”

Pope Francis shared those words during his homily delivered in the context of the Canonization Mass for Fr. J. Serra, whose lived motto those words were.

When I heard those words emphasized by the Holy Father, spoken to each of us, I thought, too, of what Jesus had said about following through with a life’s commitment:

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62

Inasmuch as St. Serra is patron of vocations, no matter what the state of life, let us ask his intercession for us, especially those of us in retirement.

May we use fruitfully the time, energy, and opportunity given us in this graced time of our lives.

“Don’t look back!”

“Siempre adelante! Keep moving forward!”

 

Where are you headed? What commitments to service will you continue or initiate in retirement?

Posted in Retirement, Service, Transitions | Leave a comment

thank you, Mr. Berra

Posted on September 24, 2015 by bakrawiec

There was a time, during Yogi Berra’s tenure as catcher, that I was a Yankee fan-atic!

I remember so many “philosophical” things Mr. Berra said during (and after) those years that made headlines–usually not so flatteringly reported in terms of a weakness or lack in his linguistic or intellectual prowess.

After learning of his death yesterday, I sought to revisit those “interesting” statements of his, now called Yogi-isms.

Surprisingly, the supposed illogical statements of his (which I also saw as illogical back then) seemed more logical when I reread them today. (Hmm…subject for another post, perhaps.)

Of all the Yogi-isms that frequently have come to mind over these many years is this one, which he expressed, in person, to those in attendance at an event that honored him:

“I just want to thank everyone who made this day necessary.”

Superior-thinking pundits explained that statement away, stating that, of course, Mr. Berra had mistakenly substituted “necessary” for “possible.”

Not privy to what was Mr. Berra’s intention, I only can be grateful that he said what he said the way he said it.

“I just want to thank everyone who made this day necessary.”

On many occasions, with “necessary” in place, exactly where Mr. Berra put it, that quote has given me pause. Most of those occasions arose in connection with someone’s kindness–kindness that made necessary, not a day, but some reciprocity, including, but not limited to, a thank-you note.

…Actually, Mr. Berra’s quote gave me pause most recently again this past week-end, when the Liebster Award kindness shown me by fellow blogger Pat Doyle made necessary a number of follow-up steps, outlined in her blog.

In connection with kindnesses shown, one of the things that Mr. Berra’s “necessary” quote reminds me of is this. It is necessary to be gracious in accepting, as well as in reciprocating. If you’ve ever tried to give a gift that has been refused, or awkwardly accepted, you know how appreciated it is when someone graciously allows you to give.

(It’s often much easier and more comfortable to be the giver, rather than the recipient, don’t you think?)

Of all the gracious thank-you notes that I received and have used as a model for delicate “necessary” situations, this one is my favorite: “Your [gift], while most unexpected and extravagant, as well as truly unnecessary, is also very much appreciated. Thank you.”

Thank you, Mr. Berra, not only for the pride and joy in Yankee baseball that your athletic prowess generated in me, but also–maybe more importantly--for your unique ability to choose and to arrange words in ways that have given me pause.

“I just want to thank everyone who made this day necessary.”

In particular, thank you for heightening my receptiveness toward the necessity of responding with sensitivity to persons and events that are socially “necessary.”

Mr. Berra, you made this day necessary. Thank you. Forever, may you rest in peace.

If you are familiar with any of Mr. Berra’s “Yogi-isms,” which is your favorite? …Despite its surface-level, apparent mistaken or misspoken foolishness, how has it wisely gifted you?

Posted in Baseball, Expressions, Thank you, Yogi-isms | Leave a comment

fav season?

Posted on September 23, 2015 by bakrawiec

First question:

Quick! ….Favorite season?

(If you’re a Boomer, here’s a hint for your options: Princess on Howdy Doody show. Remember? …Princess….Summerfall Winterspring.)

Did you register your pick?

Okay. Next question:

In which month, and on which day of that month, were you born?

Keeping that month and day in mind, ready to translate?

Last question:

Given the month and day of the month on which you were born, in which season were you born?

Grande finale!

Direction. Compare first answer with last answer.

From what I remember reading once upon a time, most folks identify as their favorite season the season in which they were born.

Did that generalization hold for you?

It did for me! …And not because I “knew” it was “supposed” to.

No. Long before I ever read of that supposed correlation, I loved autumn most of all. I love seeing how a faraway tree landscape looks aflame and aglow–yellows, reds, oranges…For me, there’s not a more invigorating sight.

Long before I ever read of that supposed correlation, I had chosen autumn colors for our furniture upholstery, rugs, accents. I can’t get enough of those autumn earthen colors!

If I am an experiment of one, I proved the theory. Without knowing that autumn was supposed to be my favorite season, it was! Spring came in a close second, heralding new life the way it does. Yet, I felt--and continue to feel– most alive in the crisp autumn air, surrounded by all my favorite colors–everywhere.

When our children were small (translation: too young to refuse to go along), we took an annual “fall foliage” trip. In addition to oo-ing and ah-ing at the majestic colored leaves, so golden, so burnished red, orange, and even brown, we apple- and pumpkin-picked. Great fun!

Truth be told, as the children aged–as was true, also, of their father–the more the novelty of the annual event wore off, leaving me as a minority of one always enamored with our trip. Interesting, I am the only autumn baby in our nuclear family–assuming a December birthday five days before the winter solstice still qualifies as a winter-season birthday.

Fast forward to today. To hear the children and their father talk, there were no greater family bonding car trips than those “fall foliage” trips. How nostalgically are those trips remembered… I’m glad I didn’t cave-in on stopping those trips sooner than we did (when the kids were too old to force along–even with seats belts in place).

So it was that as of 4:21 A.M. EDT, September 23 (today!), once again I can revel in autumn. Yes! I was awake to greet the fall, and this fall, unlike all the preceding ones is totally unique. It is my first “retired” autumn. Therein is yet another reason to celebrate!

Whatever season you prefer, may you enjoy every minute of it…And whenever your birthday is, no matter what the season: God bless!

So….did your season preference “prove” or “disprove” the birthday correlation theory?

Posted in Autumn, Family, Seasons | 2 Comments

Thank you, Pat Doyle! You honor me….

Posted on September 22, 2015 by bakrawiec

Ms. Pat Doyle, who introduced herself via her commiseration-outreach comment in response to my Retiree regret? (a.k.a. buyers’ remorse) post this summer, has continued to reach out to me with affirmation and encouragement ever since.

Having introduced me to the concept of the “Outer Circle,” she has become a key member of my retirement outer circle, thanks to her retirement insights and empathy shared in comments in response to my posts, as well as in inspirational posts of her own on her blog,

I share this background about the high esteem in which I hold Pat Doyle to explain why–more than receiving the award itself–I am honored by the faith Pat demonstrated in the worth and promise of this blogging retirement “enterprise” when she surprised me this weekend with word that she had nominated me for The Liebster Award.

Having been so honored, it is now my privilege and responsibility to nominate five to ten other bloggers for this distinction. In order to be eligible for The Liebster Award, which is a “new blogger” award, blogs must have fewer than two hundred followers.

(Please know that as I am on a quest, now, to find such blogs, in addition to my being vigilant–staying on the lookout, I welcome and encourage recommendations for The Liebster Award!  Please feel free to leave a comment to this post or to Tweet with a referred url for me to check out. Thanks for your help.) 

As Pat explained to me, among the benefits of The Liebster Award, which is a peer-nominated “pass-a-long” award, are these: to promote small blogs by helping to bring them added visibility, to highlight and to introduce new bloggers, and to help new bloggers network in areas of interest.

In accepting the Award, recipients commit to performing these required steps: (1) including the logo on their site, (2) nominating 5-10 other deserving bloggers, whose followers number fewer than 200, (3) informing the nominees via comment on one of their posts, (4) answering the ten questions posed by the nominator, (5) making ten questions of their own for their nominees, and (6) copying these rules into their post.

Below are the questions Pat asked me. I’ve answered in my preferred style–words, phrases, clauses, not necessarily coming together to comprise sentences. Inasmuch as I appreciate your reading this post, I appreciate your interest in learning more about me. Thank you to Pat for providing the opportunity for me to share the following information about myself.

1. Why did you start blogging?    My intro to blogging took place when I “had” to blog to fulfill requirements of a library media specialist course. Loved it! Once I was hired as an LMS, the district I worked for strongly recommended against blogging. Now, ten years later, I started blogging again–this time for keeps–as my retirement gift to myself! No one can stop me now. Privilege of retirement!

2. What blog inspires you the most?  Blog that inspires me most is one (like Pat’s) that is full of insights, makes me think, and accompanies me on retirement journey; one that nurtures and nourishes; feeds hunger to learn and and increases hunger/desire to learn more; one that raises my spirits

3. What hobbies (besides blogging) do you enjoy?   Reading!

4. What is your favorite book or movie?   Bible

5. What would your perfect day look like/be like?   Quiet day reading, writing–outdoors, without any allergy repercussions

6. If you could travel anywhere in the world (without worry of cost or safety), where and why?  Holy Land, with pilgrimage led by New & Old Testament scholar-cleric who helps us to experience firsthand sites, events, and words from Sacred Scripture

7. What do you consider to be the craziest thing on your bucket list? (craziest life goal?)  To become a skilled pianist/composer without having to take lessons (As soon as I put my fingers to a piano I don’t own yet, I will discover I am a Senior prodigy–like a musical Grandma Moses:)

8. How do you answer the question – what do you do for a living?  Since Sept. 1, no one has asked that question–yet. Twenty-one days into retirement (& proud of it!), I’m feeling new enough at it to simply say, “I’m retired” and then speak to what I did; I may feel differently (more self-conscious about not “working,” perhaps), after a couple of months to say something different.

9.  If you could have a super-power, what would it be?  To heal everyone who was hurting

10. If you could change one thing about your life right now, what would it be?  I’d live in a house with an office, a library, a dog that never needed to leave the house, and never having to worry about money, I’d joyfully spend all my time reading poetry and writing books for children that spread beauty, truth, and goodness

When I nominate fellow new bloggers, I would appreciate their sharing their thoughts on any ten of these fifteen questions: (The teacher in me, retired or not, still likes to empower; still likes to give choices:)

  1. What kinds of followers do you hope to attract to your blog?
  2.  How did you come up with the name for your blog site?
  3.  What is the backstory for the image on your site’s header?
  4. If your blog site has a quote, why did you choose it? If your blog doesn’t have a quote, but were required to have one, what quote would you choose; why?
  5. What is your most heartfelt aspiration for an accomplishment or experience before you die?
  6. Which comment that you have received on your blog has meant the most to you?
  7.  So far, what has been the most gratifying aspect of blogging? the most challenging or frustrating?
  8.  Has blogging lived up to your expectations? Fallen short? Exceeded? Why, do you think?
  9. Who is the one historical person you would like to spend time with? Why?
  10. If you could travel back in time, in which time period would you like to live?
  11. If you could give yourself one outstanding talent or skill, what would it be? Why?
  12. What was your favorite childhood book? Who read it to you?
  13. What is your favorite sport to participate in or to watch? Why?
  14. What is your favorite season? Why?
  15. What would you most like other bloggers to know about you?

Thanks again, so much to Pat Doyle. I hope you will check out her blog. We have a lot to learn from her!

Posted in Blogger, Blogging, Liebster Award, Retirement, Teaching, Writing | 6 Comments

typo-finding: sequel

Posted on September 21, 2015 by bakrawiec

Within hours of publishing yesterday’s blog about finding typos, I found myself facing this sign: EXPIERNCED HELP WANTED.

Thought #1:  A chance for employment!

Thought #2:  I don’t believe it. I am haunted by typos!

EXPIERNCED

Ouch! The sign was posted on the main door of the little neighborhood eating establishment. …The main door I was opening, in order to breakfast.

Did I mention that the eatery’s owner was a former student of mine? …Lest I didn’t: When he was in eighth grade, I taught him grammar/composition.

Correction. When he was in eighth grade, he was assigned to my grammar/comp class; apparently, I didn’t actual teach him–at least not how to spell “experienced” or to always proofread his writing.

Okay. Perhaps I’m being too hard on both of us.

So what if there is a typo in ALL CAPS facing the public who walk down the main street?  Is that a reflection on either one of us…

Perhaps he doesn’t know that spell check doesn’t pick up mistakes when dealing with all capital letters.

Whatever the reason…in any case, I can’t make this stuff up….

Not that I was surprised that I was confronted with yet another typo. Just that it happened so close after the posting, and involved a former student.

But I took heart. After having a nice breakfast, I went home, and began reading a professional journal. A professional teaching journal. And there in the first article I read was …yes!… a typo: “school improvment panel.” (Maybe one panel needs to improve spelling–or at least proofreading.)

Therefore, the moral of this posting is: Surrounded by so many typos, I am content to admit making so many of my own. Apparently, I am in good company!

How about you? Have you found any typos lately?

p.s. In case you are wondering if I said anything to my former student about the typo, I didn’t. However, I heard that every other teacher in the city who frequents his little cafe did. He has opted not to correct or to remove the sign. What do you think? Is there a little what-can-you-do-to-me-now pay-back enjoyment he’s having…Take that…what are you going to do now over my grammar mistakes? He’s got the upper hand; we have to eat the food we pay him to fix.

Posted in Grammar, Proofreading, Retirement, Spelling, Students, Teaching | 4 Comments

typo-finding

Posted on September 20, 2015 by bakrawiec

Nineteen days into retirement, and I’m noticing that some skills required in my past careers don’t quit with retirement, which is a good thing!

Skills like zeroing in on typos. That skill will be economically beneficial if/when I seek to do freelance copyediting or proofreading.

Problem is that even practical, wholesome skills like that can have a downside…like when I can’t help spotting a typo in an inopportune context, even when I’m not intentionally trying to do so.

One good thing about retiring from teaching, after so many years: I don’t have to put myself—or any administrator–in an awkward position. Tell them what I’ve found? Keep the information to myself?

Without offending them, I tried putting myself in their positions. If I had made that mistake, would I hope some kind soul would have clued me in? (Like the Good Samaritan who lets you know when something is awry with your clothing, or there is evidence all over your face of something you just have eaten….)

Some administrators were very grateful for a typo-find; others–definitely not so.

Me to Principal (trying to be diplomatic, copyediting PTA newsletter) “If there ever were a typo in the Principal’s letter to parents, would you like to have it called to your attention?”

…Silence. (I guess not, even though there was such an error staring me in the face at that moment. His name on the letter. His reputation. So be it.)

Fortunately, and to their credit, not all Principals receive proofreading news as negatively.

Me to (another) Principal, the night before the District/State evaluation team is visiting; a visit we’ve been prepping for. “Was reading your very inspiring end-of-the-year letter that you posted on the main bulletin board. Couldn’t help noticing. It seems that the date of the letter is last year’s. With the impending visit tomorrow, I thought you’d like to know I have your back.”

I was correct. Principal did want to know; those evaluation teams check to see if the school posts up-to-date bulletin boards. The date on the letter was changed.

Am I going to miss those tricky conversations? No. Absolutely not. Among the various burdens from which I have been relieved, dealing with administrators’ high-profile typos is one of them.

Now, I’ll just have to deal with my own. …Which will keep me very busy, since, unfortunately, I make plenty of them.

p.s. Please do let me know as soon as you spot each one!  Thank you!

Is there any delicate interaction with former supervisors you do not miss?

Posted in Retiremint | Leave a comment

Sharpen those crayons & colored pencils

Posted on September 19, 2015 by bakrawiec

All the credit for inspiring this post goes to my “Outer Circle” friend Pat, who piqued my interest in learning about the Adult Coloring Book genre. (Who knew it existed? Not I. Now I do.)

A quick check of Amazon and other sites revealed a myriad of themed adult coloring books to complement a wide variety of adult interests. A common thread in the advertising message: coloring helps to reduce adult stress.

Although I have never owned (nor thought to own) an adult coloring book, reading about them reminds me of the paint- and color-by-number drawings I enjoyed doing as a teen, and my mother did later in life in retirement. In fact, come to think of it, I still have one of my mother’s paint-by-number drawings adorning a wall. I had forgotten she had done those, finding one after she died.

Eighteen days (who’s counting!) into retirement, I admit that at this moment, the idea of being constrained by any predetermined limits (as in: color within these lines) feels unduly stressful, no matter how much stress it purports to relieve. I think I’ll pass on Adult Coloring Books for today; who knows for tomorrow.

On the other hand, looking into the Adult Coloring Book market reminded me of another type of “coloring book”—one I had totally forgotten about–that does appeal to me! It’s the kind of “coloring book” I was introduced to about eight years ago, thanks to a PTA mini-grant for our elementary school library.

Always on the lookout for different kinds of writing prompts and visual formats to spur students’ creativity to express their reader-responses (including via art), I was totally captivated by a “coloring book” that offered inviting prompts, both written scenarios and artistic background fields and contexts. Some pages were more generic than others, giving me a sense that students (and now we adults) could write or draw within the provocative spaces in response to many different kinds of stories or circumstances.

Although I didn’t realize it at the time I purchased a couple of the titles, in doing research for this post, I was surprised to learn that these particular “coloring books” have a long history of popular success going back to 1978. Maybe you were blessed to use them as a child—or to share them with your own or other children!

Even though these “coloring books” have been marketed to children, I have every confidence that adults—particularly those in transition (e.g. retirement) will find the relaxation benefit of the coloring activity, plus the catharsis benefit of expressing thoughts and feelings creatively in response to prompts. In that way, the exercises can serve as a kind of artsy journal or diary.  (Adult reviews for these titles corroborated my thinking.)

If you think you’re up for coloring both in- and out- side the lines; if you’d like some prompts with room to respond in your own way (sometimes surprising yourself by what you think and how you create and relate), you might enjoy the innovative “coloring book” I’m so partial to—drum roll!—

The Anti-Coloring Book by Susan Striker and Edward Kimmel

True, with its open-ended, creativity-evoking responses, it will put both sides of your brain to work, but in non-taxing, satisfying kind of way that–I pray, since I’m recommending this kind of coloring book–will reduce stress as effectively as does the conventional pre-determined what-, where-, how-to-color coloring book.

(I hope this makes sense. If not, please check out the description of the Anti-Coloring Books on the author’s site. Incidentally, I noticed there’s an app version, too, in case you relax better digitally.)

No matter which kind of coloring book you prefer (traditional coloring or anti-coloring), have fun—no apologizing to anyone of any age. Coloring ain’t just for kids anymore. Color your stress away. That’s the latest word!

Speaking of coloring: color me sorry for not knowing about this phenomenon sooner, and color me happy that retirement is opening me up to some many new adventures, even if some of them feel like a step back into childhood. ..Hey, that’s a good thing!  Plus this coloring craze isn’t crazy (as were some of the other childhood fads we might remember!).  Another good thing is having hip (or—better: hep) “Outer Circle” friends. Thank you, Pat! Color me lucky.

‘Fess up. Do you spend time relieving stress thanks to a coloring book? Think you might even give anti-coloring a whirl?

Posted in Adult Coloring Books, Anti-Coloring Books, Anti-Stress, Childhood, Children, Relaxation, Retirement, Transitions | 2 Comments

circling back to the future

Posted on September 18, 2015 by bakrawiec

While I was glumfully thinking how Tuesday, September 15th marked the first 15th of the month paycheck I didn’t get in ten years, other folks were thinking how to celebrate International Dot Day. (Admittedly, a lot more fun!)

So while I confess I didn’t come up with any creative solutions (yet) for bolstering my significantly (understatement!) reduced income, I’m putting those concerns aside to commit to celebrating International Dot Day next year—no matter what (as long as I’m still breathing).

Meantime, here’s what I’m thinking….Next time I have colored paper to three-hole punch, I’ll save the little circles for celebrating International Dot Day when it circles back around this time next year.

I’ll amuse myself by strategically—or, bet yet–randomly positioning one colored dot on an unlined piece of white paper. Then, with pens, pencils, crayons, paints, markers—whichever and however many catch my fancy–I’ll gleefully turn that little nondescript dot into something truly amazing–or at least somewhat interesting.

And if I’m feeling superlatively creative, I’ll start with more than one dot, the more the merrier. Maybe even hundreds of dots. Wow! I can hardly wait. That will really tax my artistry–admittedly hardly existent!

…Now it’s time to make known. I didn’t wake up on International Dot Day this year with this magnificent idea. No. Years ago at a librarian’s conference, I participated in a workshop led by an author-musician team, who displayed a booklet of students’ dot-pictures. How clever! Just one little dot, and off were the students’ imaginations.

Truth be told, the presenters did not suggest a green-friendly dot start. (That part of the idea is “original”–no matter; I’m sure someone somewhere already thought of it.) Rather, they suggested starting with sheets of little colored sticker-dots—certainly a significantly easier/less messier, as well as time- and energy-saving method.

Nice thing about International Dot Day is that it celebrates creativity… So in that spirit, throw out from your mind everything I’ve just suggested.

However many dots, whatever size(s) in however many colors, textures, backings, however they are obtained—let loose. Go for it. See where the dot(s) lead you! …And, please be generous to your family and friends–even to the children. Please share some dots with other creative geniuses!

When you do, would you please share a snapshot of what you have created? Thank you!

Have you ever tried, or think you might try going forward, celebrating International Dot Day?

p.s   Well before International Dot Day was invented, remember playing dot-to-dot games in activity books when you were a child? Fun, wasn’t it! Some of the number clues, I’m afraid, might be way too small–glasses or not–for us to read today.

Posted in Creativity, Dot-to-Dot, Dots, International Dot Day | 13 Comments

rising or setting sun

Posted on September 17, 2015 by bakrawiec

For a few months, representatives from the former original American colonies, now thirteen independent political entities, which had joined into a loose Confederation, met in a constitutional convention. The delegates, who represented twelve of the thirteen states, were having difficulty defining a framework of government, agreeable to all, that would unite them into one nation.

Finally, on September 17, 1787–two hundred twenty-eight years ago today, the delegates signed their approval of a written framework, commonly known as the U.S. Constitution, which they would bring back to their states for ratification.

On that momentous occasion, when all the delegates who were present had signed the document, heralding the close of the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin, octogenarian and esteemed delegate from Pennsylvania, made a confession.

During the months-long proceedings, fraught with serious conflicts and disagreements, whenever he looked at the nebulous sun-decoration (sun: rising? or setting?), painted on the chair on which sat George Washington, who presided over the Convention, Franklin had ambivalent feelings–he both hoped that the sun were rising, and feared that it might, after all, be setting.

In the wake of the signing, Franklin confidently asserted his assessment-conclusion, “… I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting Sun.”

Franklin was right. Two hundred twenty-eight years later, that one Nation formed under that Constitution still stands, still shines.

Thinking about Franklin’s admission about the ambiguity of the rising/setting sun reminded me a lot of my recent retirement. If the sun were a retirement logo, I admit that in the days preceding and following the big Retirement day, the sun felt setting.

Now, with the passing of days, the sun feels more rising.

No illusions, though, in the whole scheme of things, despite the fact that each day brings a new dawn, the day when the sun will rise and set for the last time is closer now, at the end of my career, than it was at its beginning.

Meanwhile, I thank God I live in and have retired in a country founded on our amazing Constitution. As a student, I was required to memorize its Preamble. Now, with more discretionary time, the least I can do in gratitude this day, it seems to me, is to remind myself of those blessed words–even saying them aloud.

Will you please join me?  …Thank you!

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Those are beautiful words, aren’t they?

Posted in Retirement, US Constitution, USA | Leave a comment

In or out: Older People’s Day

Posted on September 16, 2015 by bakrawiec

October 1st is the annual International Day of Older People. Hooray! (I think.)

Let’s be sure to circle that date on our calendars. Right away. Today.

(Yes! I know it’s only one day past mid-September, but now that we’re older, we better not delay.)

Speaking of “older people”….

As the comparative form of the adjective “old,” “older” is relative.

Just who are these “Older People”?–Older than what? Older than whom?

Does one self-ascribe, self-define?

Now, if there is an age requirement, then, mathematically speaking, what is the qualifying age? Are we out or in?

Yes! Wait! Come to think of it, I take it back. Erase the circle on the calendar. Maybe we were too hasty. We better see if we qualify first….

Hold on a minute; I’ll research the minimum age requirement.

Might as well face the truth. Might as well find out if we qualify to put on dancing shoes on October 1st….

Okay. I’m back.

Before I tell you what I learned, would you like to guess the minimum age?

I’ll type it out as an equation in case you want to take a crack before the number smacks us in the face..

((5 + 2) x 3) – 1 (x 3) = the magic age for being one of the world’s “Older People”

So now we know. The World Health Organization, which sponsors the annual event, identifies sixty as the benchmark age.

Now, if you are like me and wonder why you’ve never heard of  the “International Day of Older People” until now, I have a suspicion. Although October 1st is purportedly an international event, it seems that the USA has its own annual event on August 21st –“National Senior Citizen Day,” it’s called, which sounds more PC, don’t you think?

Okay, maybe August 21, 2016 is the date we should circle on our calendars. I have the feeling we’ll have more company then. …Think of all the “Senior Citizen” discounts. I’m not sure being one of the “Older People” has the same ring, to say nothing of comparative attractive benefits.

“International Day of Older People” anyone?

(I’ll pass. Count me out, not in.)

What are your thoughts about “owning up” to an age-related celebration day?

Posted in Aging, Retirement, Seniors | 10 Comments