(Disclaimer: While my selected demographic for Acting Our Age is women aged 85 and older, I couldn’t resist widening that circle when I received an email that said: “I’m only 82, but I have great stories to share.” I … Continued
Like many Jews who grew up in Germany in the 1930s, Esther Adler has had a lifelong mission. Having been among those who survived the Holocaust, she has devoted her many talents to keeping … Continued
Fittingly, 90 people attended Shirley Horblit’s 90th birthday party. She was delighted that family and lifelong friends joined in the celebration. What was most remarkable were the numbers of attendees who were significantly younger than Shirley. “It … Continued
Sally Lindover shrugs when she is told that she has led a most remarkable life. “It’s really not that amazing.” That’s not the opinion of most who learn about her past. Sally joined the Peace Corps at age 52, … Continued
Ruth Gordon is eager to see the blockbuster Wonder Woman for very personal reasons. “I use to think I WAS Wonder Woman.” When the Wonder Woman comic books first hit the scene in the early 1940s, Ruth felt a … Continued
WE ARE EXCITED TO CELEBRATE OUR SECOND ANNIVERSARY! ACTING OUR AGE: Women’s Lives at 85+ has just reached a milestone. Two years ago this month, we clicked SEND and we were launched! In the past 24 months, we’ve shared 30 … Continued
“Life is like a bridge game. You have to play the cards you are dealt. You can’t make faces … you just make the best of it.” These wise words reflect Ida Rotman’s life perspective. Choose … Continued
“I feel lucky to have arrived at this age.” Milly speaks softly and you lean in to catch every word. Even at 95, a conversation about the full life she has led would … Continued
”When we stopped to think about our lives, we realized that we had no regrets. Sure, there were tough times, but we never felt that we would have lived any other way.” Dr. Ilse Leeser had this conversation with … Continued
If you are curious about the connection between regular exercise and healthy aging, you could consult Google, speak with your doctor, or spend an hour with Doris Aron. If you chat with Doris, you’ll … Continued
The Boston March for Women was hardly the first protest Lillian Savage had ever attended. It was, however, the first one she joined at age 96. A lifelong activist and former high school history teacher, Lillian knew the moment … Continued
Meet Muriel Baumwoll. She is proud to be one of Boston area’s newest residents. Her decision to leave New Jersey and move to Massachusetts was a long time in coming. “ They [her son … Continued
Gert Kohen answered my ad posted at the local senior center, inviting women aged 85+ to be interviewed for my blog. She left me a voice message, … Continued
I had the pleasure of meeting Bea on May 3, 2016, just 25 days before she died. She was gracious to agree to participate in my blog. I was particularly struck by her warmth, her … Continued
It was a chilly day many years ago when Phyllis and her friend hiked from their homes in Roxbury, Massachusetts to the Blue Hills Reservation. For just $3, the girls were able to ride … Continued
After spending a morning with Shirley, you too might want to be 92. “I’m happy to tell everyone my age. I think it’s so exciting.” Shirley has good reason to feel pleased and … Continued
It’s fortunate that Blanche’s kitchen table is sturdy. She’s a big believer in expressing her gratitude by “knocking on wood.” With so many aspects of her life going in her favor, there’s a lot … Continued
We all know people who seem always to be looking over their shoulder to see what lurks behind. These are the folks who regularly wait for the other shoe to drop. They live … Continued
Molly sits in a comfortable chair in her Boston-area apartment as she tells the riveting story of her immigration to America. In 1938, at the age of 18, Molly sailed on her own from Heidelberg Germany. As she recounts the … Continued
When I mention to folks that I recently interviewed an 89-year-old woman who is in love, the reactions have been interesting. One woman stared at me. “You don’t mean ‘love love’ do you?” she said with a mix of … Continued