Category: Ageless

AARP MAGAZINE

Published on by Brigitte Nioche2 Comments

Do you get the AARP Magazine?

It has been put in my mailbox for some years, but I never read it until recently. And now turning the pages I don’t miss anything. And if you receive the magazine I would like draw your attention to an article in the June/July issue entitled Leading Ladies.

The Leading Ladies are Sharon Stone, Alfre Woodward, and Jane Fonda – as my grandmother used to say “age happens to everybody.” But without giving the story away here are some of the points they made – and I quote:

  • Sharon Stone  58- I don’t think we have to accept the assignment of aging, that all of a sudden you’re supposed to be dowdy………..
  • Alfre Woodaard 63- Age is what you decide you want it to be. I am still in motion.
  • Jane Fonda 78 – If you would have told me when I was 20 or 30 that I’d be happier at 70, I would have said to you ‘You are out of your mind.’

The encouragement of these ladies is uplifting and can inspire any woman to make the best of life’s third act.

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Do you have a story you would like to share? Would love to hear it!

And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

DSC08016-2 (2)Brigitte

THAT’S THE SPIRIT

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Sitting in the bus yesterday I sat opposite a lady who was reading the paper. When the bus stopped at Columbus Circle, she looked up and fumbling to put her newspaper away, as well as trying to hold on, she said,

“Oh my, this is my stop. I have to get out.” Having trouble to steady herself a young man got up and took her arm. With a big smile she looked at him and told him,

“Young man I don’t need help, because you see I am not old, I just look old.” and with that she stepped slowly out of the bus.

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything               photo- pink

Brigitte

AGE – WHY ARE NUMBERS SO IMPORTANT?

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How often have we been told, read or heard, that age is only a number. Some of us – now in the higher numbers – totally agree that the number is not what is important. But then there are others who can’t get over it, not their own number or others.

This is what happened to me lately which left me speechless. On a sunny Saturday morning Annie, John and I were sitting in one of London’s Parks drinking coffee and waiting for James and Andrea to join us for a visit of the Soane Museum near by. I had not seen them for nearly two  years. It wasn’t long before they arrived. Everybody hugged and kissed, and when it came to me hugging Andrea, she  stepped back, looked at me, and without a Hi or Hello first, said,

“You never told me how old you really are?” It was so taken back that it took a moment before I answered but then I said firmly, “And I never will!”!”

She didn’t pursue the matter further but it left me wondering how important age  –  as a number –  is to her.

My advice is don’t say how old you are – why do you want somebody to know that you are 70 when you look only 60?  No, women don’t look their age today – check it out – look around and see all the good-looking seniors! Here are two of them

And never forget – A Smile Changes Every Thing.

Brigitte

 

BUCKET LIST – DO YOU HAVE ONE?

Published on by Brigitte Nioche2 Comments

Before ending the book signing at The Bell Pub in England I did a little survey by asking who of the ladies had a Bucket List. Two hands went up. When I asked why others did not have one the answer was always something like this, “I never thought about it. I know there are things I still want to do before I die, but never made a plan.”

Well a bucket list is a plan.  Life coaches and therapists often suggest to write down what is in our heart to show us what we really want.

I handed out paper and pens and after 15 minutes collected the answers. Here are some of them:

  • A nice young man – ( this came from a pretty, vivacious blond)
  • Botox facial filler
  • Go up and down the High Line in New York
  • To walk the Inca Trail
  • To walk the full distance of the Great Wall of China
  • Learn to surf – well
  • To build and own a donkey sanctuary
  • Travel to Venice on the Orient Express
  • To visit all the wonders of the world
  • To write a children’s book
  • To run the London Marathon
  • Go to Iceland
  • Travel to Avignon and stay for a long time and paint
  • Take a train across Europe and stop at the places I really want to see
  • See more of South Africa
  • Take a river cruise down the Danube
  • Go to Koblenz in Germany to see a painting my grandmother did, which now hangs in a museum there.(I asked her if she had ever seen it and she said never)

Some of these dreams are a little more difficult to fulfill than others, but not unreachable if you allow yourself to make it a priority.

By the way the lady who had never seen her grandmother’s painting is on her way to Koblenz. She said, “I am glad I came today, this is really a wake-up call.”

Tell us what is on your bucket list!

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The following photos are an encouragement for the lady who wants go to Avignon in France and paint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

Brigitte

 

 

EVERY GOOD THING COMES TO AN END

Published on by Brigitte Nioche2 Comments

Including vacations —  including mine to  England and Italy. No, I didn’t send you a postcard but I brought one back to show you how beautiful the Trevi Fountain has been restored.

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However, I did not start my vacation in Rome. I first visited London, where in a quaint country pub (pubs equal England for me) called The Bell  in Purleigh, Essex a friend of mine who lives in London had organized a book signing party. The building dates back to the 14th century and is believed to have been the home of George Washington’s great-grandfather, who was the rector of the village in 1634.

A perfect setting  – and while enjoying cones with cream and strawberries plus a good cup of tea,  listening to a chapter from the book made it a delightful afternoon. The ladies shared their feelings about growing older and answered a questionnaire about what is on their Bucket List (which I will tell you about in my next blog).

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And when after a few hours everyone went home with a signed copy under their arm, I felt that the book had made a big step forward by coming to England.IMG_7811

 

 

And never forget – a smile changes everything.

Brigitte

 

BLESSED AT THE BEGINNING OF LIFE AND AT THE END

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Today is the end of the school year here in Manhattan, and while I was out I met Simone who had just picked up her daughter Corey (9 years old) from school. Corey had a big smile when she said,

“You know I am off for the summer now?”

“That’s great!” and without thinking I added “So am I!”

She looked surprised and I went on to explain,

“You know we have that in common. When you are young, like you, you have free time and when you are old….er, like me, you have free time too.”

I don’t think she understood. I gave her a high-five and walking home it occurred to me that there are other things the young and old..er have in common;

  • we have free time
  • we have people who take care of us
  • we have people who love us
  • we are learning – they go to school – we learn from them
  • we don’t have to work
  • we have little or no responsibilities

So being a kid or old…er, like being a Grandmother, are the best of times.

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And Always Remember – A Smile Changes Everything

Brigitte

OLDER BUT NOT DOWN AND OUT

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

Many people under 50 are putting people over 60 in a different category.

I don’t understand why? Because looking around one sees many vibrant, busy, contributing elders around. Some of them are far beyond retirement age of 65, but are still out there making a difference to the world.

Recently I had a chance to change someone’s mind about who we are. It was at the Bottomless Closet where we help women with proper clothes for an upcoming interview. I was helping Sheila, who is in her  40s and is applying for a retail position.

When we were done, I showed her a pretty, glittering top and asked,

“How do you like this?”

“I love it, but it’s not work appropriated, is it?”

“No! But you won’t only work, you can wear this when you go out.”

“You mean when I hang out with my friends in a bar, or restaurant?” and then looking at me a little closer asked,

“Do you still hang out?”

“Of course I do. What makes you think I don’t?” Hesitantly she answered,

“You are retired, right? I just thought ……. retired people don’t do those things anymore!” (I think she meant older but not wanting to hurt my feelings choose to say retired).

“We do – and many other things that would surprise you.”  IMG_2984

 

 

 

 

 

When she left, hugging me she said, “Thanks for your help and the pretty top  —– maybe I see you when I hang out next time?”

Was she telling me she saw retired people differently now?

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

Brigitte

 

 

Before sharing my experience about an aid who took care of my mother, I want to say that when the day comes I need somebody around the clock to take care of me I won’t rejoice. It won’t be such a good day. But once over the first chock I will be grateful that there are people willing to do what is not always a pleasant task. Unfortunately it was not how my mother saw it when the time came and Anna moved into her apartment to look after her.

Anna was a kind and gentle soul who had recently arrived in the US from Poland and who spoke little English. My mother complained about it, and when I suggested it would be a worthwhile project for her to teach Anna English her response was,

“I am not here to teach her English, she is here to take care of me.”

They struggled along for the next few weeks and when I came for dinner one night my mother said, “Just so you know I let Anna go to church last Sunday.”

“That was nice of you” I replied  wondering who wanted to get rid of whom? I found out soon enough. I met Anna in the lobby when I was leaving and  after asking her how things were I said,

“I heard you went to church last Sunday! Which church did you go to Anna?”

“Church? Me? No Anna not church, Anna sandwich.”

Anna only stayed for a few more weeks, but I have never forgotten the incident. With a kinder attitude on my mother’s part they could have enjoyed a sandwich together!

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And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

BrigitteAlice O'Connor Art 144

http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Over-Growing-Older-Positive/dp/069262385X/

P.S. If you have a story to share, I would love to hear it. Please leave a comment or email me – bbnnic@gmail.com – so that we can post it here. Thank you.

Marilyn Monroe’s’ Birthday

Published on by Brigitte Nioche2 Comments

It’s her birthday and if she was still alive she would be 90 years old today.

Marilyn

One of my grandmother’s thoughts about age was if you don’t want to get old you have to die young.

Marilyn did — and she will forever be young and beautiful.

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And always remember  – A Smile Changes Everything

Brigitte

CHOICES – PICTURE OF THE WEEK

Published on by Brigitte Nioche5 Comments

IF YOU HAD THE CHOICE WHAT WOULD YOU PICK FOR YOUR DESSERT?

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THE PINK BRA OR THE BAGS FILLED WITH LINDT CHOCOLATE????

And never forget – A Smile changes everything.

Brigitte