– Henri Amiel (1821-1881)
You and I are governed. We are going to be born. We are going to die. Health determines our strength. The weather determines what we will wear. And in between we will be aging. We may challenge the vast majority of degenerative disease but they share one common characteristic: aging itself. Of course, we can’t stop aging. That’s because our bodies are continually aged by the environment through oxidation or other processes through the body. We can alter these forces but never remove them.
We forget the world changed while we were busy getting old. The anti-aging revolution is changing the definition of “old.” New treatments and the interventions of therapeutics of anti-aging medicine are giving people added years of life. The purpose of the anti-aging revolution is not to extend life in order to live an extended period of time as an “older” person, but rather to delay the onset of the aging process and give everyone a greater number of those middle, healthy years.
The folks of our community, having finished the first half century of their lives, are marvelously productive in their senior adult years. They feel there is more to them than they have used. There is an open mind and willingness to try something new to depart from well-worn paths into new territory. Maybe our lives should be defined as “redefinition.”
There is a newer view of an older you. Aging brings many changes and these bright energetic ladies are expanding horizons and laying groundwork for new friendships and activities, making life more interesting. These women have vigor, enthusiasm and a great zest for living.
We have many wonderful organizations with a sense of direction and a way to get rolling in this place of life. They contribute to community projects and keep up with legislation that affects oldsters.
One such event was the May meeting of the Southern Maine Health Care Auxiliary held at the Village Tavern. (I must say the salmon was exquisite.) An oral report on financial and other affairs of the organization were presented. Our most sincere gratitude was extended to last year’s officers, who saw the club through remarkable and successful events.
Congratulations were extended to the new officers: Denise LaRoche, president; Penny Hastings, vice president; Diane Lovejoy, treasurer; Patricia A. Bibber, secretary and past president; Carmen Loliber, gift shop co-manager; Suzanne Madore, gift shop manager; JoJo Dryden-membership and correspondence; and Jennifer Page, past president.
Guest speaker was Nurse Belanger. (I am still grateful for the wonderful care she gave Alex 16 years ago.) SMHC’s patient navigators are highly trained nursing professionals who specialize in providing guidance and advocacy for individuals facing cancer. They walk the path with you, providing compassionate support and positive motivation to help with healing. For more information, please visit smhc.org.
— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.
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