Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Coastal Carolina
As I reflect on life-long learning during my sabbatical, I am also spending time with family and friends. I am currently visiting with my sister and her husband in South Carolina. It has been my home base as I visited universities in North and South Carolina. My visit coincides with a serious injury and hospitalization of my brother-in-law. I am trying to be a supportive guest as my brother-in-law deals with the pain and frustration and my sister tries to figure out how to be most helpful. It is an amazing dance we do with our families. It helps that we are sure that underlying all the efforts is unconditional love. Even though there are mishaps, anxiousness and anger, we are truly trying the best we can. What else can we ask of our loved ones?
In my visit to Coastal Carolina University, I learned that the university has a 30 year history of offering life-long learning to people over 50. They have three sites all run by one director who I had to ask if she ever slept. She is clearly here to serve and loves working in this program. Her biggest budget item is the promotion of the program so that when and if the funding is cut that the word of mouth from attendees of the programs will be all the promotion she needs in the future. She is warm, welcoming and inclusive of everyone who enters the program.
In my discussions about ageism experienced at Coastal Carolina, they said that it does happen. However, in South Carolina, over 50% of the population is over 50. The baby boomers are here or coming in large numbers. According to the Director, we "boomers" attacked every other "ism" we may as well bust ageism.
In my visit to Coastal Carolina University, I learned that the university has a 30 year history of offering life-long learning to people over 50. They have three sites all run by one director who I had to ask if she ever slept. She is clearly here to serve and loves working in this program. Her biggest budget item is the promotion of the program so that when and if the funding is cut that the word of mouth from attendees of the programs will be all the promotion she needs in the future. She is warm, welcoming and inclusive of everyone who enters the program.
In my discussions about ageism experienced at Coastal Carolina, they said that it does happen. However, in South Carolina, over 50% of the population is over 50. The baby boomers are here or coming in large numbers. According to the Director, we "boomers" attacked every other "ism" we may as well bust ageism.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
UNC Wilmington
Respect for our elders was ingrained in us as children and it is so important for us to pass it on to the next generation. If we fail to learn from our elders because we look at them as "old," as in no longer relevant, or not good any more we loose a wealth of life experiences and expertise. Interviewing people who provide life-long learning has given me the chance to see people who define old as venerable. They stress the dignity and impressiveness of their elders. I am so enjoying getting to know them.
When I think about the "isms" in our society, whether racism, sexism, etc., one of the underlying beliefs in our "isms" is that people in "that" group are all alike. So untrue in all cases and certainly when it comes to our elders. Think of the variety of life experiences we have and how that makes us who we are. The life experiences of our elders helps develop unique individuals with stories to tell.
Everybody really is different. My children tease me about being like my siblings or my parents yet at the same time they know I am unique in many ways. As I get closer to the "third stage" of my life I think about the "what now?" I certainly don't see this time as waiting to die. My life still has adventures ahead. I want to continue to grow, meet new people and interact with future generations. How I will choose to do this is still taking shape as it is for many people my age.
In the southern part of our country, the demographics have been heavily weighted with people over 50 for many years. They know who they need to serve and have taken on that responsibility. They talk freely about all the retirees coming from the Northeast and how as a university community they have to make an effort to serve them. I know our weather is not conducive to retirees but all of the country is getting older. What role do we want to play in serving the largest growing population?
Mary Oliver is a poet who puts into words so many of the ideas/thoughts we have in our lives. This one seems appropriate here:
When I think about the "isms" in our society, whether racism, sexism, etc., one of the underlying beliefs in our "isms" is that people in "that" group are all alike. So untrue in all cases and certainly when it comes to our elders. Think of the variety of life experiences we have and how that makes us who we are. The life experiences of our elders helps develop unique individuals with stories to tell.
Everybody really is different. My children tease me about being like my siblings or my parents yet at the same time they know I am unique in many ways. As I get closer to the "third stage" of my life I think about the "what now?" I certainly don't see this time as waiting to die. My life still has adventures ahead. I want to continue to grow, meet new people and interact with future generations. How I will choose to do this is still taking shape as it is for many people my age.
In the southern part of our country, the demographics have been heavily weighted with people over 50 for many years. They know who they need to serve and have taken on that responsibility. They talk freely about all the retirees coming from the Northeast and how as a university community they have to make an effort to serve them. I know our weather is not conducive to retirees but all of the country is getting older. What role do we want to play in serving the largest growing population?
Mary Oliver is a poet who puts into words so many of the ideas/thoughts we have in our lives. This one seems appropriate here:
Monday, February 3, 2014
Waiting in Reston, VA
Waiting for the motorhome to be fixed gave me the chance to hang out in Reston, VA anxiously awaiting the phone call with the cost for fixing it. I sat in a coffee shop reading emails. Two older gentlemen sat next to me and it was obvious that they meet on a regular basis for coffee. I thought how nice it was that they had this social time. It became very clear that I needed to check my stereotypes about the elderly. Their conversation was about computer programmers from other countries, like Russia, who were creating software for potential government contracts with the US. They discussed how long the process takes and how many trips they had made to explain this to the programmers. I received an education about software and an opportunity to be reflective about my own ideas about who these men were before I got a chance to know them. Was I participating in ageism? Have I really thought about what that looks like and how I might be contributing? I know that I find it difficult to share the breadth of my professional and personal experience without feeling like I am boasting and yet often younger colleagues have no idea what my life experiences are. Too often they assume that they can't possibly measure up to theirs. How do we capture wisdom and experience and not assume that those older than us have stories but they are irrelevant to the world in which we live today.
In the cab I took to get the motorhome, I had my first female driver. She happened to be African American and had a beautiful head of grey hair. In talking she shared that that morning she had taken a customer to a jewelry store to buy a present for his girlfriend and he asked her to wait until he was done so she could take him back. On the way back, they stopped at a convenience store for him to use the restroom. As she waited six police cars surrounded her cab and a police helicopter was flying over it. An officer came to her window and asked if she had a passenger and she explained he was inside. The officer said we think he just robbed a bank. She said that this was not possible that he had been with her the whole time. "Why do you think it is him?" she asked. The officer said the bank robber had on a black coat and black pants. That's it! Half of DC males have black coats and black pants but as an African American woman who has seen people put in jail on slim evidence she knew this could have been one more case. Her frustration with this behavior was evident. She had been driving for 25 years and had many amazing stories. She made me laugh as she talked about young people who get in her car and ask if she has a GPS before they tell her where they want to go.
She says I have a brain that knows this county well but now only a GPS knows the way! Never thought about assumptions people make about whether we can through experience match what computers, phones, etc. have in details and is one more valuable than another?
Motorhome just had loose wires. Charged me for an hour of labor! Hooray!
In the cab I took to get the motorhome, I had my first female driver. She happened to be African American and had a beautiful head of grey hair. In talking she shared that that morning she had taken a customer to a jewelry store to buy a present for his girlfriend and he asked her to wait until he was done so she could take him back. On the way back, they stopped at a convenience store for him to use the restroom. As she waited six police cars surrounded her cab and a police helicopter was flying over it. An officer came to her window and asked if she had a passenger and she explained he was inside. The officer said we think he just robbed a bank. She said that this was not possible that he had been with her the whole time. "Why do you think it is him?" she asked. The officer said the bank robber had on a black coat and black pants. That's it! Half of DC males have black coats and black pants but as an African American woman who has seen people put in jail on slim evidence she knew this could have been one more case. Her frustration with this behavior was evident. She had been driving for 25 years and had many amazing stories. She made me laugh as she talked about young people who get in her car and ask if she has a GPS before they tell her where they want to go.
She says I have a brain that knows this county well but now only a GPS knows the way! Never thought about assumptions people make about whether we can through experience match what computers, phones, etc. have in details and is one more valuable than another?
Motorhome just had loose wires. Charged me for an hour of labor! Hooray!
Friday, January 31, 2014
January 30
As with all journeys, there are unexpected twists and turns. Mine is no exception. I didn't sleep much the night before I left because I was letting fear and doubt dominate my brain. After packing the final load, however, I headed out and my confidence was boosted by how easily the Sunseeker (the name of my motor home) handled. I worried about low bridges and weight limits. As I was entering the tunnel in Baltimore and it said if the lights are flashing you're too tall for the tunnel I realized I better pay more attention. When I stopped, I had to park with the trucks. As I got on the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and it said no trucks, I pulled off and called my son to ask if that meant my Sunseeker. It didn't. My GPS did not have all the new roads around DC so I am sure there was a quicker way to Matt and Adrienne's house but I made it eventually. I was quite proud of myself.
After watching the incredible routine that Matt and Adge go through to get the twins and themselves ready to be out the door at 7:30, I went out to organize stuff in the Sunseeker. I did not escape the cold by going south so everything was frozen. The Sunseeker would not start so AAA came. Not the easy fix of the battery so it needed to be towed. As the truck was hitching up the Sunseeker, Matt came home and started waving his hands to stop! When he walked in the house we laughed about what he must have looked like. All of the men who came from AAA to help were so helpful and nice. The positive side of this detour on my journey!
Today was my day with my twin grandchildren, Matthew and Madeline. They stayed home from day care so it was just me and them. I am so blessed to be a part of these beautiful babies' lives. They make me smile nonstop. We had a terrific day mostly because Matt and Adge have built a schedule that works so well for the babies. By the end of the day, both babies wanted to be held and they get heavy! I was pretty exhausted (took a three hour nap after Matt came home). Again, I marvel at how Matt and Adge just begin the evening routine and barely get to sit until nine or after. Good thing you have children when you are young! Having grandchildren is a joy beyond words.
As with all journeys, there are unexpected twists and turns. Mine is no exception. I didn't sleep much the night before I left because I was letting fear and doubt dominate my brain. After packing the final load, however, I headed out and my confidence was boosted by how easily the Sunseeker (the name of my motor home) handled. I worried about low bridges and weight limits. As I was entering the tunnel in Baltimore and it said if the lights are flashing you're too tall for the tunnel I realized I better pay more attention. When I stopped, I had to park with the trucks. As I got on the Baltimore/Washington Parkway and it said no trucks, I pulled off and called my son to ask if that meant my Sunseeker. It didn't. My GPS did not have all the new roads around DC so I am sure there was a quicker way to Matt and Adrienne's house but I made it eventually. I was quite proud of myself.
After watching the incredible routine that Matt and Adge go through to get the twins and themselves ready to be out the door at 7:30, I went out to organize stuff in the Sunseeker. I did not escape the cold by going south so everything was frozen. The Sunseeker would not start so AAA came. Not the easy fix of the battery so it needed to be towed. As the truck was hitching up the Sunseeker, Matt came home and started waving his hands to stop! When he walked in the house we laughed about what he must have looked like. All of the men who came from AAA to help were so helpful and nice. The positive side of this detour on my journey!
Today was my day with my twin grandchildren, Matthew and Madeline. They stayed home from day care so it was just me and them. I am so blessed to be a part of these beautiful babies' lives. They make me smile nonstop. We had a terrific day mostly because Matt and Adge have built a schedule that works so well for the babies. By the end of the day, both babies wanted to be held and they get heavy! I was pretty exhausted (took a three hour nap after Matt came home). Again, I marvel at how Matt and Adge just begin the evening routine and barely get to sit until nine or after. Good thing you have children when you are young! Having grandchildren is a joy beyond words.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
I am beginning the adventure of a lifetime and many of my family and friends think I have lost my mind. If losing your mind means you are very excited about what each new day brings than I probably have lost my mind! For my Spring Sabbatical from the University of Connecticut I decided to drive across the country to visit universities and see what educational programs are offered for retired people. The Center for Learning in Retirement and the Adult Learning Program at the University of Connecticut have inspired me and I want to learn what other universities are doing. The wisdom of our elders is a gift. I am anxious to learn as much as I can.
During my travels I will visit colleagues and friends that are an important part of my personal and professional life. In many cases, I will stay with them as I cross the country. In addition, I purchased a 25 foot motor home so that I have a "home" on the road. The adventure begins......
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