Posts Tagged With ‘ Hey Boomer ’

Wendy – Hey, Boomer I agree with Anne Lamott.  “I don’t feel old, because your inside self doesn’t age.” Anne Lamott published a story in the Washington Post today titled, It’s not so ‘terribly strange to be 70.’ Turning 70 was an awakening and a reset for me. Interestingly, it was not as traumatic as turning 60 or 65. On those previous milestone birthdays, I was still in the throes of internal ageism. I feared losing the youthful energy and youthful outlook I had accepted as necessary. Coming of age as a Baby Boomer instilled in us the fear of aging. I have become more accepting... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer When we were kids, our grandparents were the epitome of age—immortalized in old photographs and cherished memories with their enduring routines and ways of life. They seemed old, ‘outdated’, unable to keep up with the ‘modern’ times. As we grow older, our perspectives on aging change and we cherish the relationships we develop in our later years. Our relationships—be it with a spouse, sibling, or friend—fundamentally shape who we are. As we approach or enter retirement, these relationships often undergo significant transformations. Retirement can be the starting... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer My mom, Sena Parris Martin, was the nineth of 11 children born to Vernie and Essie Parris. Her Dad, my Papa, was a tobacco sharecropper. Growing up during the Great Depression, Mom was no stranger to hard work including picking cotton, cutting, tying and hanging tobacco and lots of other chores.  When she found herself a single mom of 5 at the age of 35, I am sure that good work ethic came in handy.  Mom was meek, quiet, and happy to fly beneath the radar.  She had a very quick wit and a sparkle in her eyes.  She loved birds, tending to her flower beds, spending time... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer I have been a caregiver for my husband for the last ten years for a variety of procedures and surgeries ranging from shoulder replacements, cataracts, and heart surgery to prostrate and cardiovascular procedures. All these medical interventions came with a variety of inconveniences that were manageable by my husband or needed a moderate degree of assistance from me. Radical Turn My caregiving experience took a radical turn when my husband underwent heart surgery for the second time. He needed to have one heart valve replaced and two valves repaired. What was supposed to... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer I had the opportunity and good fortune to be able to listen to the podcast of Dr. Terri Pease last week re: her journey of moving from being a care partner with her husband suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, to the roll of caregiver.  This particular subject caught my attention as soon as I saw the title as I had walked the same road over the last few years, though my wife, now deceased, suffered from a different disease. Dr. Pease gives so much great advice about the stages and steps you can take but none more important than to sit down and talk with each other about... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer This is the first in a series of guest blogs, written by caregivers with different perspectives and different experiences. I am thankful to all who chose to submit a story and to all who have lived these experiences. I didn’t want to be a caregiver – and I still don’t.  I also never expected to be a caregiver, not in this way, not at this point in my life.  But for the last four years, I’ve been filling that role for my aunt, whose health deteriorated rapidly just at the start of the pandemic.  Because she never married or had children, the responsibility... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer In this blog post, I delve into the sincere question: How do we find joy amongst life’s challenges? Life is undoubtedly a journey filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Father Richard Rohr’s powerful words resonate deeply: “Life will be tough; the only question is whether we will become tougher, wiser, and more resilient.” In the face of life’s challenges, we are invited to reframe our narratives, embracing both mourning and celebration, and laboring for the birth of a better future. A Tapestry of Opposites The Hey, Boomer! podcast has delved into the profound... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer In a recent Boomer Banter, community members engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the First Agreement put forth by Don Miguel Ruiz in “The Four Agreements“: “Be impeccable with your word.” This profound notion inspired a lively conversation about the power of self-talk and the influence of words on our self-perception and relationships. I am inspired by this group and wanted to share their insights around the First Agreement with you. The Impact of Language: The participants shared personal anecdotes and revelations regarding the impact of language on their... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer Healing Estrangement is the focus of Hey, Boomer podcasts for January 2024. Kimberly Best is a conflict mediator and a previous guest on Hey, Boomer. IF you missed her episode you can find it here. Kimberly is the author of this blog post. The holidays have come to a close, and for many the joy of celebration was offset with the sadness of loss.   Broken family relationships, especially during the holidays, leaves us with feelings of sadness, grief, anger, loss, and regret.  This is the time of year when a lot of people reach out for help, trying to find a way to re-establish... Continue Reading

Wendy – Hey, Boomer I have been selecting A WORD for my year for many years. I used to set New Year’s resolutions. I suspect, like you, many of the resolutions we set were soon abandoned once we failed to meet our expectations of what it took to keep that resolution. Gym memberships – started strong… Lose weight – until that first craving for chocolate or ice cream Get organized/declutter – just can’t get started. Then you feel badly about yourself and engage in negative self-talk. “I am no good at keeping resolutions.” “I will never lose weight, get smarter, get more fit.” “I... Continue Reading