Old Age Ain't No Place for Sissies
By Barbara Tortorella

“A sissy is defined as a timid and cowardly person.” I wonder what challenges Betty Davis, Hollywood star, experienced that lead her to say those words. She had the money to make her life very comfortable in her old age. Although no matter how much money any individual has it does not buy health. When you have good health both physically and mentally you hit the megabucks.

Perhaps Betty Davis in her old age experienced the cruelties of being old. Just think about all the traumas that old age brings. Loss of eye sight, hearing, driving (having your car taken away), loss of many relatives and friends, leaving the home you lived in for over 50 years. There are so many life adjustments at old age. Life adjustments bring both depression and anxiety. Adjustments are difficult enough when you are young.

I have asked many elders how they would describe old age. I can’t begin to count the number of elders who angrily said, “The golden years, they are the tarnished years,” or some who yell “Where is the golden?” or question “What’s so golden about them?”

Robert Frost once said that we had to find the “golden” in our lives. It is the connections to kind and loving people who help bring back the golden in our lives. Connections help us to see what is still possible in our lives despite our hardships. Connections bring hope.

Perhaps old age isn’t a place for sissies but it is a place for us to continue to see the people who are still kind, loving, and caring in our lives. They are all around us if we look. They are the souls who treat us with dignity, love, and respect. They are the kind souls who look after you in your home, nursing home, or assisted living facilities. They take the time to hold your hand and give you a hug. They are the individuals who still have soul.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Tortorella is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with C.A.R.E., LLC and a motivational speaker. You may call Barbara at (781) 659-1393 or email her at MSHoboken@aol.com.