Author – The Durango Herald

What do we remember about our lives?

While visiting a friend in hospice recently, I was struck by how perceptive this man is in his memories. He wanted to talk about all the “coaches” he has had in his life, people that guided ...

DATE: Apr 1, 2023 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Voluntary stopping eating and drinking

Sometimes conversations with other elders are about how we want our deaths to be. We want them gentle, peaceful, surrounded by loved ones (or not). Many friends of mine have died recently. O...

DATE: Mar 4, 2023 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Medical interventions or not?

It’s winter, time to go through my checklist of medical appointments/procedures: dermatology, yearly physical, blood work. And my number is up for a colonoscopy, hopefully my last one. Many ...

DATE: Feb 4, 2023 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Generational differences at the holidays

Happy 2023! Here’s hoping people have had a fulfilling holiday time with friends and family. I had a family Thanksgiving with people I dearly love. We gathered in Denver and all camped down ...

DATE: Dec 31, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Saying goodbye for the last time

Have you had to say goodbye to someone you know you’ll never see again? Whether from dying or distance or something else, it’s very difficult, but can be beautiful. Traveling to Maine in Oct...

DATE: Dec 3, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Death and the Quality of Life Impact Study

A very old man I knew took his own life this past spring. I only met him once, and emailed with him several times after that, but he had quite an impact on me in that very short time. We tal...

DATE: Nov 9, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Can we change the doom and gloom upon us?

When in our long lives so far, have we ever felt so much dread at the state we are in? Sometimes, I feel we are at apocalypse’s door, the final and total destruction of the world. This is me...

DATE: Oct 1, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

‘What did you do this summer?’

This is the age-old first day of school assignment, ice-breaker exercise. I love summer and had a good one. Some travel, lots of swimming, good food from the garden, fun times with friends, ...

DATE: Sep 3, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Love, life and mortality

I’ve just read a fascinating book for those of us who may fear Alzheimer’s disease and/or would like to be able to end our own lives if needs be. Three different people referred me to “In Lo...

DATE: Jun 4, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Life isn’t always fair!

Sometimes, it feels unfair that, here we are in the last years of our lives, and the world situation is so terrible. Many of us have worked hard to finally get to these “golden years,” and n...

DATE: May 6, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Millennials and boomers in dialogue

Having a conversation with some millennials (born 1981-’96, now ages 27 to 41) recently, I was struck by their thoughts about baby boomers, of which I am one. These people felt somewhat angr...

DATE: Apr 2, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging

Recognizing older women and their wisdom

There are women in my life in their 80s and 90s. I am old, but these women are living my next step. I’m so grateful for their wisdom, insight and for my friendships with them. One teaches me...

DATE: Mar 5, 2022 | CATEGORY: Authentic Aging