Living Life with Meaning into our Golden Years

I am delighted to be able to watch my parents and my husband’s father thriving in their eighties.  They have embraced their golden years in a way that continues to give to others and to know that their actions, words, and passion to help others make a difference.

On my last visit to my parents, it was an unexpected trip and so my dad was not able to find someone to take his paper route that he does in the middle of the night.  He is awake while many of us are asleep, and he sleeps in two stints during the day.  On this visit, he was trying to get in his visiting time while maintaining his sleeping arrangement that works for him.  We were talking about the stress of the hours, but he delights in the quiet time, his chance to see amazing sunrises, and connect with other paper carriers who work the late night shift.  He exclaimed to me that having a purpose and a connection was important and it kept him going. As much as the hours are hard, I agree with him.

I should add that both of my parents teach Tai Chi several days a week and are devoted to their club.  They both practice on their own as well to stay sharp and ready for teaching, and they know how to work through their physical challenges of stiff knees and hands, sore backs or neck, as they both have a set routine that they are devoted to.

My father-in-law jumped out of a plane for a tandem jump last month to raise a significant amount of money for hospice, and then he went soaring down a zip line.  His work with the Lion’s Club for decades had him involved in the community in many worthwhile projects.  He is still devoted to supporting community events and activities and is one of the most active members at his apartment complex. 

There are many stories of exuberant seniors who run circles around us younger folk, but I want to dive into some of the insights of today’s guest.  Returning to share more of her wisdom as a medical doctor and the patients she has watched grow old over the years and thrive or wither as they have aged is Dr. Marianne Bette. In our last podcast episode we discussed her book “Living with a Grieving Heart,” and today I am excited to hear about what Marianne has learned across her years helping others. 

Retired from her practice in Connecticut, Dr. Bette brings us some of the wisdom and stories that are a part of her next book. 

To learn more about Dr. Bette please go to:
Instagram: @bettemarianne
https://emeraldlakebooks.com/living-with-a-grieving-heart/
mbette48@gmail.com

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