At my Toastmasters meeting this morning, my Table Topics challenge (when we respond on the spot to a question or situation) was: “What were you doing in 1954?” My brain clicked backwards, until I reached that year and saw myself as a young girl. “Well, I was in the 6th grade in Michigan,” I began. As I looked at the group, I could see them doing the math to figure out how old I am, so I said, “I’ll save you the trouble of computing. I’m 74,” and went on with my reply. I know many women who refuse to acknowledge their age to anyone. Why? As Popeye would say (there I go, showing my age again!), “I yam what I yam.”
I can’t stop the ticking time clock. I can’t get any younger. And why would I want to? I’m older, yes, but wiser, more confident and self-assured, more willing to take risks that would have stopped me in my tracks years ago. Age has allowed me the opportunity to share my experiences and personal wisdom in hopes of helping other women live more productively and with less angst. Shortly after the publication of Second Blooming for Women, a woman came up to me and said, “I just read your book,” then waited expectantly for my reply. I stood silent for a few seconds, unsure how to respond, feeling naked and exposed. Publishing my innermost thoughts and experiences opened me up to critiques and comments, and I had no idea whether they would be positive or hurtful. Age let me take that risk, gambling that my writing efforts could be encouraging to other women. I was right. Feedback from both Second Blooming for Women and Women’s Wisdom:Pass It On! has been remarkably positive and thoughtful.
I do not want to be younger. It took me all these years to grow into the woman I am today – someone whom I respect – so I intend to claim my age as a badge of success, hoping that in the process I inspire other women to look forward to every age and stage of life, too. Claim your age; I highly recommend it!