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Aging Frances Madeleine L'Engle Podcast TTT

Episode 26: The Art of Aging

Frances and Rebecca

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am joined by my mother Frances for a conversation about the aging process.

I have never really understood the phrase: you are as young as you feel.  Birthdays come and go, and I feel the same. It’s only when I look back at photos that show a young woman of 18 ready to take on the world that I realize the passage of time.  She recognized the possibilities, while I have lived the possibilities, the marvelous adventures that have come through the years.   And yet, we are the same for we live in the moment, with expectation and anticipation.

So put the kettle on and let’s talk about aging.  Better yet, the art of aging.

I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Embracing and celebrating aging is a choice and acceptance of  who we are in the moment.

My dear blogger friend, Liz from Leaping Life suggested a fabulous book written by her friend Maggy Pigott,  “How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life.”  In the coming weeks, Liz and I will be exploring how we can podcast from a distance – from Edinburgh to Vancouver.  Stay tuned for a podcast with Liz on this insightful book.

One last thought comes from  Madeleine L’Engle: “The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.”

So, until next time dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

 

By Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

26 replies on “Episode 26: The Art of Aging”

Rebecca, It’s always my pleasure to listen to your insightful conversation topics, including this conversation on ‘the golden years.’ Very positive perspective indeed without much over-emphasis on the relationship between aging and poor health. This has appeared rather timely when the ‘younger elderly’ of today (who mostly enjoy good health and are active and independent) are very many and comprise larger portion of the world population than any generation before them. I look forward to the next Podcast instalment. Best wishes to your mom. Jo

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Thank you for your wonderful comments, Jo! And for listening in on the conversation between Frances and me. A few years ago, I read “Composing a Further Life: The Age Of Active Wisdom” by Mary Catherine Bateson (Margaret Mead’s daughter) which resonates with your thoughts. We are living longer and have the potential for exploring new pathways. I love her quote “As you get up in the morning, as you make decisions, as you spend money, make friends, make commitments, you are creating a piece of art called your life.” The idea of valuing our lives as a treasured artwork was an epiphany for me. Our choice on how we engage within a complex ever-changing mercurial world will determine personal happiness. Hmmm…. Happiness – now that is another interesting discussion. Sending hugs to you and Carina.

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Good night from St Albert Alberta! We are visiting family for the long weekend – heading out a farmers market tomorrow morning! The older I become the more everyday moments become extraordinary! Have a wonderful weekend!

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I am looking forward to our podcast adventures Liz. Someone asked me “What would you do if you weren’t scared?” So I’ve deleted my “scared App” from my cell phone and downloaded the “adventurous spirit App”. It’s working well and I’ve given in a 5 star rating. Hugs!!!

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Frances and Rebecca, I was so glad to join you, today. And I am looking forward to further conversations which include Liz. I was always puzzled by the admonition to ‘act your age’. I feel that if I want to skip down the garden path that is perfectly fine whatever my age. I love the story of the smile which took 7 years to emerge. Frances, what sweet confirmation for you of the importance of persistence and the value of a smile.

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I am so glad that you listened in and joined the conversation. I am hoping that Liz and I can podcast from a distance. If so, I would love to have a conversation with you and Jack. Will keep you updated on the process. We are in the Vancouver airport ready to board a plane to Edmonton. We heading over the mountains to visit Frances great grandchildren. I love being a great aunt. Hugs coming your way.

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Absolutely delightful, rejoice indeed! Every day is a gift we can share with someone else. Waiting seven years for a smile indicates patience is also part of the art of aging. In my seventh decade, having face many obstacles, inspiration has always been my oxygen. Thank you for providing that for so many lives. Big smiles and big hugs for you and your mom!

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I love how you said “inspiration has always been my oxygen.” I have placed that saying on the side of my computer desk, as a reminder that by giving and receiving inspiration, we are breathing life into our days. What a wonderful thought to begin my weekend. Thank YOU for inspiring me. You gave me goosebumps – I know that Frances will love that thought!

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Forget to mention that I’m late in responding because Frances and I travelled to St. Albert, Alberta to visit her 5 great grandchildren. There is such marvelous energy in children. Hugs coming your way.

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Love this, Rebecca, thank you!
It’s always a joy to hear you talk with Ms. Frances. We all need positive incoming info about life’s cycle. Aging issues have long been glossed over, swept under and mostly feared.
That is our society, though. In certain cultures the very old are honoured and revered.
Menopause was the first aging roadblock, I came upon.
I like to think I am embracing life, daily. Honestly, I do have some fear, but that doesn’t stop me from long walks, creative endeavours and healthy eating. Not all is perfect, but all is perfectly fine.
Take care & big {{Hugs}}

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I love that thought: “Not all is perfect, but all is perfectly fine.” What I like most about my conversations with Frances (Mom) is that we have history, we have shared a journey, time has passed, and age has given us memories. I recently finished HOW TO AGE JOYFULLY, Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life by Maggy Pigott. I thought her choice of “joyfully” over “happily” was a profound reminder that being at peace with who we are is an internal conversation. Validation must come from ourselves, not an external source. Perhaps that is why artists and poets, who look inward, are able to use their creativity to share insights on the human experience. Thank you for your comments – so very much appreciated.

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I just finished listening to your podcast on The Art of Aging, which is great especially because as I said in an earlier unrelated message, your voice tone and articulation are tops as in made for the radio. For that matter, the voice of your knowledgeable guest Frances, I can safely say is near interchangeable with yours, so it’s hard to tell when you leave off and Frances starts, and vice-versa, and as such the two of you made for a perfect host and guest for this episode on an important subject, most enlighten and well done. One of which, if fate should favour, we will someday experience.

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I am delighted by your comments. Frances (Mom) and I have had many conversations over the years, but what I find interesting is that I continue to learn more about her life in these podcasts. In one session, we talk about sod houses. I did not know that my grandfather was born in a sod house. It is a reminder to me that we have unique experiences that need to be shared. Everyone has a story. I enjoy your story through poetry, which allows me to reflect back on my experience. In the end, all that will be remembered is the stories and connections we have made on our journey. Many thanks for your heartwarming thoughts.

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I enjoyed listening to this conversation about the art of aging, which is, in fact, the art of living. I could not help thinking of another perspective about aging -a dark-humoured one- from the great English writer David Lodge: “Deaf sentence”.
Thank you for this podcast. Since I am a tea addict and long time tea cups collector, I may be a little bit prejudiced.
Carpe Diem !

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I am so very very glad that you listened in. And thank you for the introduction to David Lodge’s “Deaf sentence.” I have just downloaded it on Kindle. I love your thought – the art of aging is, in reality, the art of living. So very well said. I am perplexed by the way society views the aging process (consider ads) , given that we are experiencing exponential growth in this target market. Aging is always with us. This is an interesting article from The Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/90341477/why-marketing-to-seniors-is-so-terrible I am looking forward to our ongoing conversation.

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