The other day I was driving to my local department store when a racy sports car convertible with the top down zoomed past me on the freeway. There, behind the wheel with the wind in her face and her grey hair flying out behind her, was a woman my age. Did I mention she had the radio blaring and was rocking out to an old Stones’ tune? I just had to smile and think to myself, “Ain’t we boomers grand?!”
More and more I see signs that our generation truly is revolutionizing aging. When I was a young adult, I remember older folks saying that they felt like they were in their thirties or forties, they just inhabited older bodies. Now, I understand. But boomers have taken these sentiments a giant step further: we’re still acting like we’re young! We’re pumping iron and jogging, we’re pursuing hard charging careers well into our sixties, we’re dancing to the oldies, we’re traveling to far off places, and, yes, we’re still rockin’ out in the car!
There are a few aspects of my life I’m especially proud of and the fact that I belong to an amazing generation of women is one of them. We gals blasted away long-standing stereotypes and totally transformed what it meant to grow up female in this country. Now we’re doing the same for aging.
So, a nod to us all, and a wish that age never slows us down. Actually, how could it? We boomers have overcome far greater challenges than a few aches and pains or a wrinkle or two. Rock on forever, my sisters, and, whenever you can, put the top down, turn the radio up, and get your groove on!
Next Destination: Super Bowl XLV. Arlington TX… Here we go!!!
Good morning, fellow women baby boomers.
Just found this sight today, and wanted to know more about it, and perhaps share some of my insight into fulfilling the concept here of living life without focusing on age.
My website and contact is at http://www.barbaramarville.com, AND if you happen to be a woman who loves helping other women, I will personally invite you to check out http://www.mylifecompass.com/BarbaraMarville.
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded” Ralph Waldo Emerson
I will have my 60th birthday in a couple months (HOW did that happen?) and even though I seem to live a life of stress and avoidance (still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up), I did a wonderful thing for myself 5 years ago – I bought a Harley and learned to ride. Wouldn’t recommend it for everyone, certainly, but for me it’s been terrific – challenging both mentally and physically, scary, and FUN FUN FUN. 🙂
Only wish I’d done it sooner.
And I still need to figure out what I want to do when I grow up…
Rock on, baby boomer ladies! I’m 51, and still love to have fun. I wrote a book titled “The Hip Grandmas Handbook,” and maintain a blog of recommendations at http://www.hipgrandma.com. The feature today is rock and rollin’ Asbury Park, NJ.
Keep on dancing, girlfriends!
Linda Oatman High
http://www.lindaoatmanhigh.com
I just turned 50 this year and my life is simply wide open, moreso than ever before. Besides keeping up with five teenagers in a blended family, 2 in college and the other 3 in high school, my jewelry business has grown by leaps and bounds. Now, I’m taking it online and the sky’s the limit, if I can just find the time somehow to do it all. I can’t see life slowing down anytime soon and I don’t want it to. Rock On, ladies!
Lisa
http://www.presencejewelrydesigns.com
I refuse to allow folks to typecast me anymore. I am in awe of the amazing baby boomer men and women I am meeting online, like you, who are tuning in a new baby boomer beat!
Rock on, indeed, Eileen! I’m all about enjoying life – whether you’re 2 or 82. We are a generation of women who have learned to hear our own voices and we like what we hear! You do a great job of cheering us on!
I am proud to belong to an amazing generation of women, as well. It is so interesting that when I was in my early 40’s I was so stressed about everything. As a single mom and entrepreneur it felt the entire world was on my shoulders. I remember my mother sitting on the edge of my bed on her 50th birthday and looking at her reflection in my mirror on the dresser and saying:” So this is me at 50″ I don’t know if Mom was happy or upset with her place at 50 years old and now that she is gone from Alzheimers disease I cannot ask her. But I DO know that I looovvvee my age. Everyday I am thankful to be this age and be so in tune with my fabulous life. And whether there are problems or the days are easy…it is all fabulous because I have knowledge and experience to make it that way.
Linda Rendleman Author,Speaker,Coach Women Like Us: Real Stories and Strategies for Living Your Best Life http://www.lindarendleman.com http://www.businesswomenconnect.com
My husband and I had a similar experience when we were traveling in his Sebring convertible. We both had our shades on and my hair was blowing in the wind. A lady pulled up beside us at the red light and said, “You two look really good in that car!” We smiled and said thank you and after we got past her, we laughed because we were just a couple of boomers crusin’ and lovin’ it. Life is what you make it at any age!
This post made me smile. Rock is the music we grew up with and it stands the test of time. I was in the car the other day and “Friend of the Devil” by the Dead came on. I was able to sing every single word along with it. Sometimes I joke that the reason our generation’s memories are faulty is because we’ve got decades of rock lyrics stuck in our heads. I’m still obsessed with Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, George Harrison, Bob Seger, etc.
Granted, like everything else, classic rock was male dominated, but last fall we had the privilege of seeing Bonnie Raitt perform—she announced to the audience proudly that she was 59—still gorgeous and did she ever rock with her slide guitar!
I love it! Thanks Eileen. You make me want to go out and dance! Who-Hoo!
I love your cheerleading, Eileen. My 83-year-old uncle is visiting us from New York. He lives in a 55+ active condo complex. His neighbors and friends are cruising the Mediterranean and other places around the world, being constant friends, companions, and support to one another. If they’re not playing cards or going out to dinner together, it’s some other new adventure. I’m not kidding: Mike looks younger than he did when I last saw him in 2007. His only regret is that he didn’t move to this wonderful place sooner. Mike’s planning his next cruise, working out at the gym, and I’m hoping I got his same part of our gene pool. He’s 20+ years older than the oldest boomer and one of my models of cool saging.
BOO-YAH, Baby!
Yaaaay for us Boomers! I agree, Eileen. My husband and I just “danced the night away” on our 25th (second marriages) wedding anniversary. I’m always astounded when I think of my age. I don’t feel “this old,” and certainly don’t act it. Great post.
Mary
http://www.marycunninghambooks.com
http://www.cynthiasattic.blogspot.com
I really like this post. Our generation have chosen to live life without age getting in the way. We’ve chosen to take what we enjoy in life regardless of age and just keep doing it. We’ve chosen to live life according to how we feel. A great thing, I think.