learning from the well-seasoned in our lives

The fact that I wasn’t interested in having children was such a joke among my friends of the female persuasion that when I was a young girl of about 13, they bought me a book on “naming your baby” just for fun. Somehow they knew I would never use it.

It’s not that I don’t like children. But I definitely relate better to those of a seasoned age. Perhaps it then is no surprise that I married a man 25 years my senior. There has never been anything unnatural about our union. It just felt right — and he has taken his rightful place in my world, fulfilling a need (coming straight from my soul) that no one else could reach.

And the relative that I was always closest to was my Auntie Florence –my godmother and my mother’s sister — who quickly stepped in when my mother was taken from me (due to cancer) when I was just 13. She was 44 years older than me, but we were as close as good friends would be, and she never lost her spunk until she was in her 90’s.

I have several other women of influence in my life who are golden girls and inspire me to live life to the fullest — each and every day.

I met Alice Rhodes (now in her 80’s) in March, 2000 in Churchill, Manitoba, when I was up there researching the Northern Lights (aurora borealis.) I was fortunate enough to have been invited to participate in the Elderhostel course being taught by a friend at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. It was an experience I shall never forget. Not just for the remarkable display of aurora we witnessed that week, but also for the remarkable people I met on that course.

Alice was one of them. We have communicated by e-mail ever since we first met, always hoping we could somehow hook up again on our travels, but it has never happened. Alice lives in the American Midwest and continues to gain Elderhostel experiences. (She has just signed up for her 27th course with the organization. This one, to take Tai Chi in Northern Michigan.) If you’ve never been on an “Elderhostel” course — do it! They’ve now changed their name to “Exploritas” to get away from the age stigma as most folks who participate in their courses are “young” like Alice and truly love life and the adventures it brings.

Now, anyone who is a baby boomer or older is the company’s prime target, and even younger folks are welcome to join in.

I continue to explore new places in conjunction with my assignments as a travel writer and author continually in search of memorable experiences.

That is how I met Hope Spencer, the vivacious woman pictured above. Hope was a fellow member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, an organization we both held dear to our hearts. http://www.pwac.ca.

Hope attended PWAC’s Annual General Meeting in 1998, when I was a new member and on the organizing committee of our national conference. We immediately bonded and became great friends. Hope turned 90 on July 4, 2009, and although a fall last year has slowed her down and cramped her globe-trotting style, her spirit remained positive and uplifting until her passing.

I am very blessed to have these well-seasoned individuals in my life. They have taught me so much and made me realize that the birthdays to come can be every bit as good — if not better — than the birthdays that have passed.