Age, per se, need not be an impediment

Frances Kolarek-150 wideBy Frances Kolarek —

Tita, my 98-year-old friend who lives in an historic house on 30 acres in rural Virginia, writes:

“ I love my house and am happy here with my little garden in which I grow quite a lot of vegetables. As long as nothing disrupts the routine, all is well.

“My biggest problem at the moment is foxes. They have eaten all my chickens and all but one guinea fowl and now a peacock.

“I have offered my tenants $50 a fox, but so far no luck. Although I have a ‘fox call’ which makes the sound of a wounded rabbit and it brings them out I have not had a good shot at the wretches.”

Tita is testimony to an “emerging age-acceptance movement [which] neither decries nor denies the aging process. It recognizes that one can remain vital and present, engaged and curious, indeed continue to grow, until one’s dying breath.“ These words come from How to Age, a book by British sociologist and author Anne Karpf ,who takes “a deep and thoughtful look at what it means to age, how to do it well and why we care at all.”

Age offered no impediment to mystery novelist P. D. James, who died last year at 94. Once called “The Queen of Crime,” her last novel was published when she was 91. It later became a miniseries on British television.

On the other end of the age spectrum, James S. Kunen, 66, who had lost a prestigious job, tells of his need to feel productive. However, job hunting in his field at 66 led to frustration and blind alleys. He enrolled in a course from which he earned a certificate to teach adults English as a Second Language.

Today his association with his pupils gives him ”a sense of purpose and engagement with the world.” He appreciates the extra income, as well.

Age, per se, need not be an impediment to achieving lifelong goals or pursuing new interests or I wouldn’t be producing these blogs.

Collington offers multiple opportunities to pursue new interests and realize long-held ambitions. One group of residents are deeply engaged in a course in autobiographical writing. Others spend hours on floral arrangements that bring constant delight. The functioning of our Residents Association demands the efforts of dozens of engaged residents. At one point, I counted over 200 volunteer spots that needed filling by those who want to remain engaged and productive.

Important point: we also enjoy life’s pleasures—a meal in our dining room or a visit to the Ivy Bar for a glass of wine or a cocktail. We cover all the bases.