The interest and following for the over 80 stories amazes me. We've covered the SuperAgers research, and I'm glad to see you returning to it. One story I loved writing, which sparked more response than I expected, was Top 10 Substack Writers are Past 80 (April 9). I assure you, there are a lot of "the cool kids" in the past 80 crowd and we look forward to seeing you there.
My Grandma Tess, in her early 80's, made me promise (in my 40's) to make new friends younger than myself every year. Because when all your contemporaries and siblings are gone who will take you to the movies? She lived well with her love of music, dancing, good real conversation (she didn't much like small talk) knitting, gardening, and baking until 102. At her memorial service there were dozens of young people in addition to family.
Since I have been trying to be someone else's 'younger' as well make friends with young people and found my 'new' old friends deep and wonderfully experienced.
My grandparents were amazing; raising 4 kid's on a farm sending them to walk to a one room school a mile and half from home. 2 of those kids became university professors. One can repair anything. And my Dad was one of the early inventor/developers working on what became the digital infrastructure we depend on.
When my Grandparents (both city kids) bought a small dairy farm, my Great Grandmother asked, "Tess, what do you know about farming?" And my Grandma replied, "I'll learn Ma, I'll learn."
This is such an encouraging read. It’s another reminder that healthspan isn’t just about looking after our bodies: it’s about challenging our minds too. Staying curious, learning something new and keeping connected may be some of the best gifts we can give our future selves.
What stays with me is that the common thread is not luck, it is engagement: still asking something real of yourself at 80. So many women were handed a script that quietly ends at 50. This is evidence the truest chapters can begin after the script runs out.
Both my 92 year old grandfather and grandmother on my mother's side have been diagnosed with Alzheimers. I want to change this and live as a SuperAger!
This is the version of aging I want more of: people getting smarter about their bodies, not just slower. I'm 44 and back racing my bike after a year off and on, and the shift that mattered was training for the body I have now, not the one I had at 40 (or even 43!).
The interest and following for the over 80 stories amazes me. We've covered the SuperAgers research, and I'm glad to see you returning to it. One story I loved writing, which sparked more response than I expected, was Top 10 Substack Writers are Past 80 (April 9). I assure you, there are a lot of "the cool kids" in the past 80 crowd and we look forward to seeing you there.
Love it, Georgia!
My Grandma Tess, in her early 80's, made me promise (in my 40's) to make new friends younger than myself every year. Because when all your contemporaries and siblings are gone who will take you to the movies? She lived well with her love of music, dancing, good real conversation (she didn't much like small talk) knitting, gardening, and baking until 102. At her memorial service there were dozens of young people in addition to family.
Since I have been trying to be someone else's 'younger' as well make friends with young people and found my 'new' old friends deep and wonderfully experienced.
Grandma Tess sounds fabulous.
My grandparents were amazing; raising 4 kid's on a farm sending them to walk to a one room school a mile and half from home. 2 of those kids became university professors. One can repair anything. And my Dad was one of the early inventor/developers working on what became the digital infrastructure we depend on.
When my Grandparents (both city kids) bought a small dairy farm, my Great Grandmother asked, "Tess, what do you know about farming?" And my Grandma replied, "I'll learn Ma, I'll learn."
Such great advice!
This is such an encouraging read. It’s another reminder that healthspan isn’t just about looking after our bodies: it’s about challenging our minds too. Staying curious, learning something new and keeping connected may be some of the best gifts we can give our future selves.
We’re aligned, Philippa. :)
What stays with me is that the common thread is not luck, it is engagement: still asking something real of yourself at 80. So many women were handed a script that quietly ends at 50. This is evidence the truest chapters can begin after the script runs out.
Both my 92 year old grandfather and grandmother on my mother's side have been diagnosed with Alzheimers. I want to change this and live as a SuperAger!
This is the version of aging I want more of: people getting smarter about their bodies, not just slower. I'm 44 and back racing my bike after a year off and on, and the shift that mattered was training for the body I have now, not the one I had at 40 (or even 43!).