Dear IF reader,

We are talking about aging and senior citizens in this January issue. I just arrived home from my MNO (Mom Night Out), to find the BNO (Boys Night Out) remains of food plates, camping blankets in front of the television and gamma ray hangovers on all males in my house. I went to see American actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan Friedman, 2 of my favorite seniors in this country (US) in a movie, “Bucket List”. The movie was about 2 men that end up in a hospital in the same room. As the movie opens, they are total strangers. Once their mutual doctor tells them individually that they have very little time left on Earth, they become fast friends. They decide to take on an end-of-life adventure together, fufilling wishes they put on their bucket list. This “bucket” list covers things they should do before they “kick the bucket”. (If anyone understands the origin of this expression which means “to die”, I would be pleased to hear the backstory on this). It was sweet and touching. The message in the movie seemed to be “carpe diem” - seize the day. I have heard too many friends and families tell stories of the hardworking man or woman, that finally retired to live the good life and died unexpectedly. I remember specifically a woman who had worked as a secretary for over 35 years and her husband had worked in construction for 40 plus years. She was such a lovely person, and she was so happy when her husband and she retired. Then she called the house to say that her husband had passed away and she would be selling her Florida home because there was no one to enjoy it with. I felt so sad and angry that she had been robbed. Then there was another woman I knew that’s husband died right after his retirement. I thought she might react the same way. Well, she seemed to mourn for 6 months with grace and lovely memories that she shared with others. Then to cheer herself up, she took a dance class. She met a man that danced like Fred Astaire and made her giggle like a school girl, and finally became her second husband. I was so pleased for her spunk, her optimism. She inspired me. I learned from her that until the music stops, I must tango on.

Blessings, Catherine, IF Mag Editor, cat@internationalfamilymag.com, http://www.internationalfamilymag.com

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