1. Introduction

I’ll start with something I’d like to share about myself.  I’ve enjoyed being a musician for many years.  I sing and play flute and piccolo.  In my free time and with wonderful friends I’m a member of the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable street/community band of Inman Park.  We practice each week, and they have been around for 52 years!  If you’ve never seen us, we wear wild and colorful theme-based costumes at gigs such as weddings, birthday parties, celebration of life events, corporate meetings, city festivals and all kinds of parades.   We are a group that spans all ages, with members in middle school to senior adulthood.  We give much of the proceeds from gigs to music education in the Atlanta Metro Area through our Community Endowment.

I would say that the above group is an immensely important part of my experience with older adults. While participating, as I’m basking in the talent of people who have drummed or trumpeted for 60 years and who choose to spend time with those of us who have not played for many years.  We share jokes, and plenty of fun each week.  We welcome members in some sections who are feeling the challenges of memory loss and coordination.  Seed and Feed accommodates each member, as family and friends share rides and watch out for each other.

I’ve also directed a choir in Henry County for a short time, with many senior adults.  I have found that “herding cats” is common no matter what the age of any group.  I am blown away by the love, and wisdom I’ve seen as I’ve led Seniors in church as they volunteer and teach me.  I’ve also enjoyed sharing my musical skills to reach out to some who are home-bound.  When I know that music is something that will bring them good memories or relief, I share it.

I would like to learn more in this class about how to best support Seniors in the way they want to be supported.  While reading Cruikshank (2013)  I began to more aptly define what I’ve been experiencing more and more, through my 50’s.  I saw younger professionals assume there were certain physical tasks I should not attempt, or physicians who had to tell me “oh, at this age, your joints can slip.”  Adjustments had to be made in how I exercise.  Since I’ve been there, or begun this portion of life, I enjoy supporting others through similar challenges.  Another concept which I learned advocating for persons with disabilities seems related to the concepts championed in Cruikshank, is that of Social Role Valorization.  This can be sourced at a blog on Wolf Wolfensberger, Susan Thomas (April 2017) and Wolfensberger, Wolf P. (2013). https://wolfwolfensberger.com/lifes-work/social-role-valorisation/  In Wolfensberger, the idea was that who we are should always matter, and there is validation no matter the differences between us.

2. The Meaning of Aging
   I think I would define “older adulthood” as age 65 and older. Since I am very close to that mark, I am trying more to figure out how to accept any limitations or challenges that come along for me, and how to discuss these with friends who are my age and older. I imagine much this journey, through time I spend with my grandmother, who is pictured in the featured photo. She enjoyed laughter, memories, funny stories.  My grandmother was a Real Estate Broker who only stopped working due to macular degeneration.  She was active in her church teaching Sunday School.  As a child I walked to her house after school to play.  Her house was always fun.  That’s similar to how I imagine later life can be, where one can be an encouraging and fun, wise friend.

   I imagine older adulthood for myself with more grey hair, a body that is more fragile, having difficulty with sight, and hearing.  I know that I will still need to work until I cannot any longer.  I think I’ll be 65 when I think of myself as an older adult, maybe because at that point society will think it’s time to retire.  It was helpful to read, within our course text by Crookshank, (2013) the concept of “learning to be old” will involve thoughtful and peaceful handling some inevitable challenges, although some will be out of my control.  I’ll keep becoming greyer, but that does not bother me.  My flexibility will become challenged, but I must remain active to overcome that.  I will have to be more vigilant every day with my health, watching blood sugar and all usual heart issues.  I am trying to modify my routine to include better eating habits and some cycling.  I’ve gotten an electric bike I can step through.  I’m easing into handling it on some wonderful, easy trails in my community, and selling the road bike I had in my 20’s.  Besides time exercising, I intend to keep making music with friends as much as I can.  I’ve already seen firsthand, one friend who has given up choir and orchestra with me at church due to macular degeneration and know that every moment I can savor activities such as these, I must do so.  Making music to make others smile will continue to bring me pleasure and joy and keep my mind active.

One particular “problem of aging” I fear is running out of funds for daily living expenses and having to depend on others for such things as food or shelter.  My health is better than my husband’s, although I am older than him.  There is a huge possibility I will outlive him.  Through life, we have not always been able to save enough for retirement.  My children have done well, and will probably watch after me, but I don’t want to be dependent on them.  Even though I am white and middle class, there is uncertainty as to how the U.S. economy will be for the next 20 years, so I am simply needing to be realistic regarding the time I may have.  I’m to utilizing this time wisely to both prepare for later life and hope to bless others at the same time through my work.