One Senior's Opinion: Finding joy in simple beauty
I can't believe school is starting. This summer just flew by. If I really think about it, my life seems to have flown by. I'm a senior citizen...seems impossible but true.
I can still see my young self in Grandpa's backyard with a book, a blanket and a glass of lemonade, hanging out with the hydrangeas. Summer in Grandpa's back yard was a riot of color. It seemed that every flower imaginable grew there. He had iris, daisies, gladiolas, bleeding hearts, asters, violets, peonies, pansies, petunias and, of course, his beloved roses.
Birds, bees, and butterflies were there in abundance. I never realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by so much beauty for so much of my childhood.
Although I didn't inherit Grandpa's green thumb, I do love flowers. Some of mine may be of the artificial kind but that's OK. I don 't have to water them. I struggle to keep three small violet plants alive. These are some of the things which bring me pleasure.
As a senior citizen, I strive to stay happy and content. I hope that my fellow seniors surround themselves with things that bring them joy and help them be happy. It doesn't take much, a vase of artificial flowers, a colorful picture on the wall, visits with family and friends. Smiling helps, it's contagious. Stay cool and be happy.
Dianne Borowski
I'm a 68 year old senior citizen, recently retired.