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ome at last
I've always been a voracious reader and a writer, and now in my 'sixties, these two activities define me more than ever. My other identities—mother, grandmother, employee—are important but they are increasingly overshadowed by my emerging writing persona.
Every day, I write for my clients—marketing reports, Memoirs, Web site content, publicity material and stories. I have a varied background in Communications, a BA in English and I'm still adding to my skills. But writing is what I do.
I've started writing my Memoirs, focusing on my time as a German immigrant during the 'fifties, when I was just twelve and my mother and I had many adventures in our new home. I still speak and write German fluently and read German novels.
Apart from these activities, I'm always exploring something new. Lately, it's been the topic of ageing. Reading everything I could find on the subject, it seems that our culture is in the throes of re-defining what age means now. The negative image of ageing is being tossed out, but now the marketing gurus have got hold of it. Let's sell youth to old people! We're all supposed to be forever young-through face-lifts, creams, exercise, and diets. And many people are literally 'buying into it'. Of course, this does not address the real issues of ageing-fragile health, loss and loneliness but also expanded horizons, a greater interest in the community, new challenges and interests. It seems we have trouble imagining what productive old age looks like. It's either artificial youth or decrepitude, alas.
The Hopi believe that “When the grandmothers speak, the earth will be healed”. But in our culture, who listens to grandmothers? Instead of holding old people to an impossible youth standard, I think we need to honour age for its own sake and discover its gifts. There are ways to age well without pretending to be young forever.
Getting this essentially optimistic message out to everyone interests me. I am planning to publish a magazine devoted to this cause with Jeff Swanson of Swansoncreative. We're calling it CanDo, Ageing with Attitude. Launching a magazine is a daunting project, and I don't expect it to happen quickly. But I believe in this project.
Ageing is a great thing if only we stop being so totally ambivalent about it. It's neither terrific nor awful; it's something else. It has its own challenges and rewards. Exploring that ‘something else’ is going to keep me engaged and writing forever.
Memorylines website: www.memorylines.com
Jeff Swanson website: www.swansoncreative.com