This blog presents the ideas and creative thinking of some of Utah's talented older adult writers. Their submissions are to inform and entertain, not to present policy or opinion positions of the Utah Commission on Aging. Enjoy.
“Age is just a number” is a common saying among seniors. It’s said to us and by us. It’s sometimes meant to encourage us to do things we think we’re “too old to do,” or to justify things we are doing that others think people of a certain age really are too old to do. It can refer to the way we dress, the people we associate with, the places we travel, the cars we drive, the things that are still on our bucket list, ETC.
My mother got her college degree when she was almost 73 years old. She died of cancer before she turned 74. Was it worth it? I think she would say, “Definitely!” She participated in BYU’s remote education program in the 1990s, before virtual education and even email was a thing. This was made even more difficult because she was living in Brazil. All communication with professors and assignments had to be mailed back and forth.
I recently had my first encounter with AI as a writer. I was writing a website and the web designer sent me several biographical paragraphs about company staff members. The paragraphs were the product of Jasper, an artificial intelligence writing application.
My husband’s ability to drive gradually declined. Because I watched it happen to him, I’m hoping I’ll recognize it when I’m no longer a safe driver. However, since most people don’t, I’ve told my kids that when they think my time has come to give up the keys, I will do so—maybe not happily, but willingly. We’ll see if that really happens. I’ll give them a copy of this article, so they will have it in writing.
I have my own fully-vaccinated, long COVID experience to report, but so far, my account is the only one I can be sure won’t change, as scientists seem to be changing their minds about what, if anything, can be known about the cause, the symptoms or a cure.