We’ve all heard the stories about saucy senior citizens, carrying on in senior living communities all over the world. We’re surprised and then amused.
“That’s adorable – old folks with lovers!”
And then…you get your own AARP card and the stories hit a little closer to home. Because honestly, you still have wants and desires even as you collect your social security benefits.
I’m a baby boomer and I’m blessed to be a layer in a generational sandwich. I have three sons, a daughter, three grandchildren, and one ninety year old mother. Oh, and one very patient husband.
It’s my mother I want to tell you about.
She’s the mother all my friends envied. She has always been the cool one. Smart, pretty, fun. And my mom is a fashionista. She rocks her jeans, and when she dresses up, she’s always elegant and classy.
But her true claim to fame is her popularity. She is loved by everyone, from the newest baby to the “elderly neighbor” five years her senior.
My mom has always had a large social circle. Her mornings spent on the phone, checking in with friends, arranging card games, luncheons and dinner dates.
Back to the part of the story about those saucy seniors.
The first time I heard about my parent’s sex life I was 50. Prior to that, I merely assumed they had one. But when I crashed a ladies lunch when visiting my mom in Florida, Gigi spilled the beans. Apparently Mom didn’t like to “go down there.” My mom concurred.
“Ahem…” I coughed and said “I can hear you.”
They both laughed. 80 year olds have a wicked sense of humor.
When my mom became a widow after sixty-eight years of a blissfully perfect marriage, she kept the promise she made to my father. He told her he didn’t want her sitting around with a long face after he was gone. He wanted her to get out and have fun.
Soon after the mourning was completed, my mom got a few ticklers from widowers who wanted to take her out. At eighty-seven years old, my mom still had the goods. She paired up with Joe and they began dating. Joe was my dad’s best friend and her good friend too. My mom has known Joe since she was fourteen years old, there weren’t any surprises.
It’s been three years now. Mom goes out with Joe every Wednesday and Saturday night. They double-date with other couples, they enjoy dinner, kibbutzing (conversation) and nothing more than a peck on the cheek at the end of the night.
Because that’s the way my mom wants it.
It’s fun watch the goings on of my elders. Let’s face it…at my age…it feels good to have elders. I spend more time with my mom these days and I’m front row, center section in the social drama.
Harriet is complaining because Leonard wants to sleep over. No sex, just cuddling. Millie just got dumped by Henry. Bernie is looking for companionship, he has many takers – he can still drive at night.
What a blessing! To be active and interactive with a social circle that has supported you for ninety plus years.
You want to understand God’s plan for your life? It might just be as simple as this: Be a friend, have friends, live socially among God’s people.
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