The Gift of Making a Video Biography

Seymour and Angel Newman light up as they talk about their daughters, Shoshana and Raphaela. “The best thing that ever happened to my life was those two girls,” Seymour said. Angel added, “They both have such good hearts. They’re such good children.” T… Continue reading

The Weight of Being Childless Late in Life

I was never ready to have a child, but I always loitered along the razor’s edge of wanting one. I cast away all my healthy reproductive years to the agony of indecision. I spent heaps of money on shrink appointments, and talked about it ad nauseam with… Continue reading

Vietnam Protesters on the Youth #NeverAgain Gun Reform Movement

The February 14, 2018 shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. mobilized students there to launch #NeverAgain, what Time magazine called the “most powerful grassroots gun reform movement in nearly two decades.” Spurred by tra… Continue reading

Halloween Memories: Yarn Wigs and a Monkey Mask

Back in the days before Halloween became an industry — it’s now an occasion to plant “gravestones” in the front yard or a giant inflatable vampire in the driveway, all to frighten trick-or-treaters — my father was achieving the same goal with a simple … Continue reading

Pros and Cons of Older Workers’ Office Romance

It’s a fact: the American workforce is getting older. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employees age 55 and older are one of the fastest growing populations there. And one in four professionals will exceed the traditional age of retirement by… Continue reading

Ride Services to Help Older Voters Get to the Polls

On Primary Day in September, I met my friend Jane  for lunch at our favorite place for burgers. She was proudly wearing an “I Voted” sticker, so we eagerly shared our thoughts and ideas about the candidates. Then Jane mentioned that upon returning from… Continue reading

The Failure to Commemorate a Death Anniversary

We were watching the evening news when my husband, Bob, noticed the date and gasped. “August 16th? Oh, my God. Yesterday was Leslie’s and my wedding anniversary,” he said, referring to his late wife. “I can’t believe I missed it.” “Thank you for sharin… Continue reading

When Book Clubs Are a Social Event

The late musician and composer Frank Zappa got it right when he said, “So many books, so little time.” More than ever, many avid readers have transformed the solitary act of reading into an opportunity for socialization by joining book clubs. The New Y… Continue reading

Honoring Retirement with a Ritual

Life transitions demand that we change more than our roles or outer activities. They demand that we change from the inside out. With retirement, this shift happens when the obvious roles and responsibilities fall away, the structure of our days dissolv… Continue reading

What My Older Cat Taught Me About Aging

Yoshi is sitting on the table next to me with his head on my arm, which makes it challenging to type. He’s all about proximity these days as he wants a steady stream of affection and warmth from his humans. I can’t imagine that he’s cold — it’s 95 degr… Continue reading