Oldie but Goodie

Ola Wiberg

All too often, younger people view an older generation as not being hip, or having a clue what life is all about. How could someone a whole generation older than us? Ours is one of the few cultures in the world that devalues the richness and wisdom of age. Big mistake!

Let me introduce you to my 81-year-young friend, Ellen. She’s twenty years older than me and has become my inspiration. Every time we’re together for our weekly outings, I learn something from her. No, not everything is Oprah worthy; sometimes, it’s just her attitude about life and the way she relates to other people.

Last week we decided to visit the library together (she’s an avid mystery fan). As we walked in, the volunteers and staff who know us greeted her with smiles and even hugs. She always looks nice, stylish, in fact; and manages to find something unique and clever to say to everyone she meets. She goes beyond basic ‘respect’ into an area most of us don’t have time for—making people feel good about themselves.

One day, I had to go back into a store for something I had forgotten and I left her standing in the sun. When I came out, she was giggling with a man who asked her if she was a retired “adult” star (to try to put it as gracefully as possible)! I was appalled—she was delighted!

I’m glad that fifteen years ago I didn’t dismiss a friendship with Ellen because of our age difference. If I had, I would have missed out on a lot of fun and life wisdom; not just about how to age gracefully, but how to enjoy my senior years with panache!

It’s true, what they say about age being just a number. Keep that in mind and check out:

The Art of Aging Gracefully

Tagged as: Ola Wiberg

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