Aging Our Way: Lessons for Living from 85 and Beyond

Ann Donohue with author Meika Loe

Dear Reader,

I remember reading an autobiography of Eva Le Gallienne, the actress. It was called "At Thirty-Three." It started with her early years. I shall do the reverse, though I'll take a little poetic license with the title. I never expected to live this long, but I seem to be in good running condition, thanks to the six bottles of pills on my dresser and the six doctors I see: dentist, periodontist, gynecologist, dermatologist, ear doctor, and podiatrist. I go to hydroslimnastics exercises at an indoor pool twice a week, and go swimming in Lake George daily in the summer and on Memorial Day for bragging rights.

I have three sons and a daughter who take wonderful care of me: a son who calls me every evening from a suburb of Washington, D.C., a son who comes to dinner two nights a week and takes me to Lake George every Sunday; a daughter who takes full charge of weekly shopping trips, keeps my wardrobe up to date, and helps me with my income taxes; and a son in Alaska who comes down every year and calls frequently to update me on the news.

Although I can no longer drive my car, I avail myself of Senior Transportation, which drives me to doctors appointments, and friends who drive me to volunteer activities, and friends who pick me up when they see me walking to the four corners. I walk about a mile a day for the fresh air and the physical exercise.

Much to my surprise I find the nineties very pleasant.

Sincerely,

Ann Donohue (age ninety-four)
January 2010