"Our true well being depends not on our wealth or technological sophistication but, rather, on our degree of shared belonging....." *
This quote came to mind as I reflected on how we are all aging, trying to manage the aches, pains and therapies that our aging body (and those other partner bodies that we love) presents us with. This is not to say that we are a decrepit bunch! Far from it. From our travels to our races; from our physical fitness routines to our intellectual engagements, and from our passionate discussions to the families that we love and support. We fight the good fight with our bodies that sometimes seem to betray us, and try to come to terms with the realization that this is indeed, probably a new normal.
This new normal is met with a certain amount of stubbornness and attitude. Whether it's battling a systemic bias against "seniors"; a pesky problem that keeps rearing its ugly head, or a new illness completely out of the blue - we are all connected by a resolve, and even I may say, a positivity that is underpinned by the "shared belonging" that our group provides so easily and profoundly.
And along with this, is a sense of hope and optimism that we all lean into when we are side swiped if not blindsided by what is happening to our bodies. (What's happening to our brains is a topic for another day....). We often say that we derive comfort in knowing that we are not alone- the aging process does not discriminate - and we can commiserate knowing that in the end we rarely get a free pass.
But in the meantime, we will put one foot in front of the other, smile, laugh, share stories and welcome another new life. We delight in the coming of spring (especially the certainty of it!) engage in our challenging, if not a bit darker world, support each other and continue to cherish our shared belonging
* From "On Belonging: Finding Connection in an Age of Isolation" by Canadian author Kim Samuel.
