Beginning a New Journey..

Welcome to a new blog!  I can’t believe that here I am, an almost old woman, (got my AARP card) - and I am choosing to do such a wild thing as posting a blog!  And on such a subject: old, old, old (I wonder where that word comes from).

And, it came to me: this is what is needed - or rather, this is what I need to do - get the word out about ‘old’.  All the way from Senior to Elder, but particularly focusing on the frail and all that surrounds them. I want to be gutsy enough to talk about the ugly things. Nursing homes, being scared and alone at home, reading the obits to see if any friends have died, worrying that you’re a burden.

But most of all about the beautiful things. My mother-in-law (at some point I have to tell you about Marian) born in 1898 and truly my best friend, a friendship that continues as strong as ever deep in my soul, 12 years after her death.  I want to make this a place where we could honor our Elders, share our wonderful stories of them, talk of the Elders who have made THE difference in our lives.

And then, the caregivers. We have to talk about and with the caregivers, to discover what it is that makes it possible for them to continue day after day, giving and loving as they do.

And so, here is what I propose: since I practically live on the road anyway, traveling at least 45 weeks a year, what if I continue to visit nursing homes and to talk with Elders, caregivers, loving families?  I’ll just begin to collect and share all the great stories I hear.  

I’m going to have a few regular features: elder stories, interviews (with whomever will talk to me), pictures of people and places.  I want to share innovations, build excitement about shaping better care solutions.  I even want to share overheard conversations (from conference presentations and hallways.

And hopefully all of this will provoke emails, emotional and thoughtful, that I’ll sometimes share with my readers.

So, let’s get started. Come along with me to Australia (where they have old people, too!)