Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Peggy Rader's avatar

Thank you for this post. I was an active backpacker and hiker for many years but now at 73 I simply need to go more slowly. As I tend to hike with younger folk and camp with younger folk, I’m working to come up with ways to continue on terms that are realistic.

Expand full comment
Margery Guest's avatar

Jill--

I liked this essay. Your thoughts contain wisdom and acceptance. Many of the changes you refer to are similar to those we face for simply getting old. We who are approaching the big 80--unbelievable!--can attest to having to slow down, give up certain experiences, and generally accept that an almost 80-year-old body is not the same as one at 40 or 50 or even 60. This is the acceptance that is needed--but we have to do it within a culture that fetishizes youth and vigor. In a better culture (sorry, U.S.A., but it's true), old age would be looked at a lot more sympathetically and even with reverence. We've made it this far. We've learned a lot. We have wisdom to impart. Despite some occasional lip-service, old age is not looked at this way here. Anyway--a good essay with an important message for all.

Expand full comment
8 more comments...

No posts