Ageism is still active in America. Despite newspaper articles, television programs, and films about older adults, many people still think grandparents are sitting on porch waiting to die. Nothing could be further than the truth. I’m 83 years old and still setting goals for a busy life.
I’m just one example. My husband is paraplegic and I’m his primary caregiver. In early May I had open heart surgery and am now the proud owner of a pig valve. This surgery, plus my husband’s condition, prompted us to move into an apartment in a senior community.
While I’m preparing our townhome to sell, I’m making all the decisions on our apartment, which is a total gut job. I’m tweaking the kitchen design, turning a second bathroom into my office, choosing paint colors, buying new furniture, such as a smaller couch, and planning the interior design. At 1,050 square feet our apartment is a bit small, but my goal is to make it a gem.
My 37th book, The Grandma Force, is in production now. Though the release date is September 1st the book is already on Amazon. In addition to caregiving and moving and decorating, I’m preparing for a book launch. I also write for three websites. There are millions of older adults like me. As soon as we reach one goal we set another.
Recent goals include selling our townhome in a few weeks and doing all I can to make this happen. I’m working on finding more care for my husband. Working on another book is always a goal and a caregiving expert has agreed to co-author a book with me. Goals are an indication of personal vision.
Steve Jobs explained this better than I. “If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed,” he explained. “The vision pulls you.” New goals continue to pull me to an exciting and blessed life.