Grandmothers
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FINDING JOY
I ran into this fabulous, 94 year-old at the Vegas airport last week. Her 10 year-old, great-granddaughter, Gianna, who clearly adored her, was pushing her in a wheelchair. “Whatcha readin’?” I asked her. She grinned and said, “Finding Joy.” Then she thumbed through a few pages, turned the book upside down, shook it and… Read more
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MY INSPIRATIONS
Recently, a young man came backstage to chat with me after a performance. As he left, he suddenly gushed, “Ms. Hudson, this was great. I just love talking to old people!” While the others around me were a bit shocked, I was quite tickled and replied, “Well, Jason, I just love talking to young ones!”… Read more
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REALITY CHECK
This is where I found myself last week, registering for Medicare. Yes, that program for OLD people; the one my grandmother was on for as long as I can remember. The whole process felt like a dream that someone—anyone–else should be doing but me. And yet? Here is where I find myself: almost 65.… Read more
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PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES
More than 40 years ago, Simon & Garfunkel recorded a song on their album, “Bookends.” It was a minute and a half piece about a photograph that said, “Preserve your memories. They’re all that’s left you.” How were they so wise at only 27? I am a hoarder of memories. For 50 some… Read more
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in
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TURN HEADS…CHANGE HEARTS
About 15 years ago, an older fellow that I played tennis with gave me this T-shirt for Christmas with my picture on it. At the time, I thought the gesture was sweet but was too embarrassed to actually wear a shirt with my own face on it. Seemed downright silly. Fast-forward all those years and… Read more
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in
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MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL
There was an article in the NY Times this week entitled, “Do your friends actually like you?” Research shows that only about half of perceived friendships are mutual. The study was done on 21-34 year-olds. Turns out that while those young people were 95% certain that their besties really were their besties that was only… Read more
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MAKE ‘GRAY’ THE NEW ‘DISPLAY’
When I heard that Hillary Clinton recently had a NYC salon closed to patrons while she had her hair colored, it made me feel pretty sad. It wasn’t that she paid $600 for the dye job. It was the fact that she felt she had to do it at all. For years, women have… Read more
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in
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ENGRAVED BY TIME
I think the most wonderful part of aging is owning the hard won character we build that so clearly defines the lives we have lived. One never knows what might become of young saplings or even full-grown trees. A simple downpour might do them in from the roots up. But old trees? You know… Read more
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‘OLD LOOKING’ YOUNG
Striding into my sixth decade, I have finally accepted the fact that I am no longer 21. Looking in the mirror has not convinced me because I still see my younger self in that reflection. I can do the math: my own daughter just turned 21. That wasn’t the clincher either. Even my husband insists… Read more
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GET OFF THE ROAD, GRANDMA!
Pushing my grocery cart towards the automatic doors, I can’t help but notice the older man just ahead of me. He is tall and spry, and the bright, yellow sweater he wears sets off his sharp, new haircut. I observe these details because when the automatic doors open, he doesn’t budge. “Waiting for… Read more
AGEFULLY AGING 