Tag: Television

My Roommate The Television

Published on by Brigitte Nioche2 Comments

 

Image result for photos of people watching TV

When my husband died I don’t know how I would have made it through the days without  television. There was  the news, the latest events from around the world, movies, ads, game shows but I heard none of it. It was only background noise, a noise I needed desperately  to fill the new and terrible silence around me.

Through the following months, and now years, the TV is still on most of the time, but most of the time it is muted. When I move around in my apartment the images flashing by still give me the feeling of –  maybe – somebody is there with me?

According to statistics of Television viewership I am not alone. Television is a companion for a lot of retired, older people. Maybe it is for the same reason, not to feel alone, to be up-to-date, connected to the world allowing us  to know at every moment, instantly, what is happening  anywhere  in the world. But do we really need to know? Does it improve our life?

Having admitted to be a television junkie, I would like to share an experience that is slowly weaning me off my dependency – and it feels good.  Since a few months I am spending a week a month in a place where there is no television – yes, no television – or even WiFi.  All I have is my phone which let’s me get emails and phone calls. The first two days I am there I am miss the news. The third day it doesn’t matter, after all what could I do about it? And at the end of the week I know that the world turns and goes on without me.

A very freeing, appeasing experience, which has replaced the mute button to be the off button. It has also taken away the numbness I had developed seeing the world’s misery over and over, leaving me more aware of the world around me.

                                                                                      ********

Of course I still watch TV, but much less  and instead of the devastating news of the day I am happy to watch Downton Abbey!  

 

Always Remember – A Smile Changes Everything! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE GOLDEN GIRLS

Published on by Brigitte NiocheLeave a comment

 

Image result for the golden girls

  • We watched them
  • We laughed with them
  • We thought they were funny
  • We loved them

But today so many years later it looks like the writers of this TV show were ahead of their time. They addressed a need and gave a solution for something so many seniors  are facing today, namely living alone. And for most of these older people it is not their choice, but a reality which is hard to change, and which circumstances of life have imposed on them.

So here come the Golden Girls – not long ago I read an article – sorry I forgot the name of the publication – but since the article was so a propos I didn’t forget what I had read. It was about three women who have put this idea in motion, and they were grateful for

  • not to being alone anymore
  • knowing if they fell sick somebody would be there to help
  • sharing meals
  • sharing expenses – which allowed them to live in a nicer place
  • sharing their thought and feelings with another human being

Of course what to watch out for was also mentioned

  • never buy a house together with another person
  • there has to be just one owner – it leaves the door open for everyone to come and go if things don’t work out
  • have house rules re cleaning, cooking time, meals, etc.
  • take your time to make a commitment
  • look at many options before you do
  • and above all
  • make sure you like the person

Shortly after I had read this article there was a television show about three men living together, about 65 to 75 (my guess) and when they were asked how it felt sharing a house and their life, they said laughingly while pushing each other like school boys, “We haven’t had so much fun in years.” And they truly looked happy and alive.

Of course these are the pioneers. But every major change and movement started with a few who eventually convinced the rest of the world – and here we are speaking about the fast growing group of older people looking for solutions to their changing world.

                                                                     ********

Most of the Golden Girls have left us, but we are lucky to still have Betty White. What a role model! Over 90 her enthusiasm for life is contagious. She looks nice, is well dressed, and always has a positive attitude. Is that why she is still round? Maybe? Whatever the answer staying positive is like sunshine making your days brighter and your life happier.

Image result for the golden girls

Thank you Golden Girls for the years of laughter and sunshine  you gave us and for showing us a way of life that could just make the difference in our life now!                                  

                                                    ************             

And never forget – A Smile Changes Everything

Brigitte