A Shame and A Crime
The impeccably-dressed, silver-haired woman said “Ah, that something we seniors fear more than death.” And what is that ? That is dementia. You might have guessed that, seeing that I so often write about Alzheimer’s Disease and other memory-robbing, personality-stripping medical diagnoses. And I am now but in the unusual reflection that is the case of Brooke Astor and her son Anthony Marshall.
I am always trying to find ways to understand humanity’s (okay mine too) fascination with the lives of the rich and the powerful. It is entertaining but sometimes it is also a useful mirror through which we can see ourselves, if we dare look. And in the Astor trail do we dare look?
What might be see? A rich old lady. A rich old man. Whispers of a greedy daughter-in-law. But we also see trust abused – for Mrs. Astor trusted her son, her only son, to take care of her and the court has now found that he cared more for himself than for her. We see the vulnerable abused – for few can be more vulnerable than the elderly who lose their independence of mind, of spirit, of self. It is a shame. And a crime.
Surprising advice from a Diva!?
I know the world wide web is a place where so much can be learned but, frankly, I often prefer a newspaper. Why? Maybe it’s because I can cradle it in my hands. And so often a good newspaper (much less a great one) will bring information I can’t or don’t see any other way. There’s too much on the web for me to find it!
And to this category comes an article on Danielle de Niese, a young soprano who is taking the opera houses of Europe and the United State by storm. I’m fascinated by her life, her work, her training but what catches my eye is her philosphy of the moment:
Her watchwords of the moment were from some Stairmaster pop from the ’90s called “You Get What You Give,” by the New Radicals: infectious downbeat, 4/4 time. Softly she began to sing: “Don’t let go, you got the music in you…Don’t give up, you got a reason to live/Can’t forget, we only get what we give!”"
We only get what we give: a philosophy of creativity. A philosophy of life.
Creativity in many forms
Since representing creative aging at that local health fair I’ve been pondering what activities are considered creative. So many people instantly demur when asked to finish this statement: “When I feel creative, I ____”. So many say ‘Oh, I’m not creative” and then in conversation admit to the most interesting and creative avocations or loves. So why not admit it first? I don’t know. But that makes me think that creativity needs its own marketing campaign. Well, I’m trying.
A recent glance at The Washington Post revealled wonderful creativity and creative aging: She’s 90 and still a milliner – creating and making the most wonderful hats.
Another story of unexpected creativity I heard on National Public Radio: a man constructed a usable paddleboat from purchasing only exterior plywood and waterproof glue. He used the drivetrain of a riding lawnmower and the boat can navigate in 6 inches of water. The paddle rides up and over rocks. Now I haven’t been able to find the story again (alas) but I’m looking (or is it listening?). Now that’s creativity!
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