We created a set of questions (a la Marcel Proust), a tiny Glimpse into the hearts, minds, and lives of interesting and inspiring older adults whose vibrancy and enthusiasm for life only seem to increase with age. Enjoy!
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Craigville Beach, Cape Cod
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? I get to create finding Holiness Everywhere
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To travel more and enjoy life with my husband. To learn more and always be curious.
What do you love about aging? I get to: plant seeds and not live to see them fruit; plant trees and not sit under them; impart my wisdom to the next generation; enjoy creating and living my next act in life; and be always learning, making a difference, and contributing.
What talent would you like to have? Being gifted in art
What are you most proud of yourself for? Being that 1 in a million patient that saved herself from major surgery and corrected my curvature of the spine by exercise and wearing Orthopedic shoes
What would you like to be remembered for? Being somewone who made a difference in the world
What do you most treasure? Family and friends
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? My friend Rami, Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, and the Dalli Lama…and if there is room at the table for a 4th, it would be Rumi
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Bearing Witness retreats in Auschwitz-Birkenau
What’s your favorite word? Inquire
What’s your favorite sound? Ocean
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Kol B'Seder
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Israel
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Safari
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Ice cream and hot pretzels
Ariela Marshall has been married to her husband David Marshall for 39 years. She is a Senior Program Leader at Landmark Worldwide. She is a life long learner and someone who is sought after, recognized, and in demand as a person of extraordinary contribution.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Being greeted by mantas and dolphins while descending on a remote coral reef.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? When I left a successful corporate career to start my own company 25 years ago.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To still be traveling and scuba diving with friends well into my eighties
What talent would you like to have? I’d love to be able to write and play music.
What are you most proud of yourself for? I put myself through college and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
What would you like to be remembered for? Honest communication, which is not always a good thing and sometimes not easily forgotten.
What do you most treasure? Memories of my husband, who passed away in 2021
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? My Dad, Albert Einstein, and Nikola Tesla
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Go into space
What’s your favorite word? Moderation
What’s your favorite sound? The sound of clanking scuba tanks in the morning
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Jackson Browne
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Cuba!
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Trader Joe’s Chocolate Fudge Sauce
Bonnie Pelnar Dietz is an artist, designer, teacher, and dive travel agent. She left her successful corporate career 25 years ago to start her company “Under Watercolours” and today teaches underwater photography at exotic tropical destinations around the world.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Waking up at 5AM to start my day, a great cup of coffee, prayers/meditation, then a great work-out and a fabulous breakfast.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? I practiced a slow jazz number called “Got Those Blues” on the piano for what seemed like 1000 times. It finally made sense! And…..I could play the whole piece all the way through!
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To be in love and to own my own home over-looking the Pacific Ocean.
What do you love about aging? I have never been happier in my whole life. I am healthy, physically strong, highly energetic, and make sure I am making a difference for others.
What talent would you like to have? To play the piano fluently! To sing!
What are you most proud of yourself for? That I served in the United States Army Nurse Corps at age 21 near the end of the Vietnam War; that I have led programs for Landmark Worldwide to more than 20,000 people.
What would you like to be remembered for? Being kind, loving, generous, so much fun, and full of life.
What do you most treasure? My relationship with my mother who died 19 years ago. We were Mother/Daughter and also Girlfriends. We laughed all the time.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? My Mother, Mother Theresa, and my best friend, Candace.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? To live in Northern Italy in a beautiful villa for 6 months and learn Italian.
What’s your favorite word? Alacrity.
What’s your favorite sound? The C-Minor chord on the piano.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Van Morrison; The Bee Gees
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Italy
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Dubai
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Watching Hallmark Movies on a Saturday from morning until night with great meals in between with my BFF.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? The thought of being with people I love once per month for 1 ½ hours and having wonderful, generative conversations with them seems very beautiful and fulfilling to me. And that I would get to listen to what they are creating in their lives.
Carol Georges is passionate about making a difference and contributing to others. She loves life, especially now - at age 74. For over 51 years, Carol has worked as a Registered Nurse, and she currently works “virtually”. She spent 2020 actively studying the topic of “happiness” and is very excited about this chapter of her life. A person of deep faith, Carol says, “It is a privilege and simply great to be alive.”
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? The moment I become present to “all is well.”
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? I don’t have to believe the negative thoughts of others or even my own.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To retire well.
What do you love about aging? The wisdom, grace, and freedom to be.
What talent would you like to have? The ability to play the piano well.
What are you most proud of yourself for? Keeping going in the face of disappointment and roadblocks
What would you like to be remembered for? Having made a difference in the world.
What do you most treasure? My husband Jim.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? My father, my mother, and my brother Kit.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Touring the world with Jim.
What’s your favorite word? su·per·ca·li·fra·gil·is·tic·ex·pi·a·li·do·cious
What’s your favorite sound? Any harmony - either tonal or dissonant.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Eva Cassidy, on one hand, and The Doors, on the other.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Greece - Athens, Mykonos, Delos, and Delphi.
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Egypt. The pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Been there in my dreams but never in person.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? I gave up guilt for Lent and forgot where I put it.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? To have the experience of assisting others as well as myself to age with purpose.
Dan Hazeltine grew up in a small town in Nevada, went to college in San Diego, and never left California. Along the way he had careers in the performing arts, food service, and teaching and administering for the LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education. At LAUSD, he worked primarily with older adults and adults with disabilities. Now retired and living with his husband Jim, Dan is busy creating the next great adventure. He's been entertaining Seniors in Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living since his retirement and says, “I just seem to be ‘at home’ with them.”
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Hot delicious coffee first thing on a quiet morning.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? That I CAN do big, physical things, i.e., completed a triathlon in my 20s; ran a ½ marathon in my 40s; surfed at 50 yrs. old; and completed two ‘virtual’ challenges in my late 50s.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To raise my daughters to be strong, independent women.
What do you love about aging? That I don’t look my age; that I do things that defy my age, rather than define my age.
What talent would you like to have? To be able to sing to an audience for three hours straight…and they like it. (Note: I can’t really sing)
What are you most proud of yourself for? My 35-year+ marriage (still going strong) to my high school sweetheart.
What would you like to be remembered for? Making people smile and feel heard and loved.
What do you most treasure? My husband & two daughters.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? GREAT question. I’d invite Richard Branson, Rita Rudner, and the Dalai Lama.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Travel to and stay for one month each in every major city, every US state, every world country, and on every continent.
What’s your favorite word? Reservations!
What’s your favorite sound? My kids laughing.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Darius Rucker.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Bonaire.
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been to? Australia
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Taco Bell tacos
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? I love being with like-minded people, and I want to know and learn what they do and how they live in their 50s+. I always seek community, and I enjoy meeting new people.
Denise Schnitzer loves adventures, belly laughing, and having FUN! She’s lived in five states and two foreign countries, which proves she loves to travel and make new friends. Her Bucket List and Vision Board are her guiding forces.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Being with family as they joke around and are authentic with each other.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? When I discovered I was responsible for my life.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To give people access to freedom and full self-expression.
What talent would you like to have? To sing and play the guitar and piano and to write music.
What are you most proud of yourself for? Loving, accepting, and championing people.
What would you like to be remembered for? Being a great mom and wife and being loving.
What do you most treasure? My relationships with people – my husband, Joseph; my sons, Joey and John; my extended family; and my friends.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Mom and Dad (I miss you both) and Joseph (I want you to meet my mom)
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? To go skydiving!
What’s your favorite word? Love
What’s your favorite sound? Laughter
Who’s your favorite musician/band? The Beatles
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? New York City!
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Europe
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Going for ice cream with friends or binge watching a favorite TV Show
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? To be with family and friends engaged a conversation we don’t usually have.
Doris Scott is known for her ability to deeply connect with people while creating a safe, nurturing environment in group settings. She has worked in the training and development industry for more than 30 years, helping to grow and expand several national organizations. She has also led transformational programs for thousands of people. Her passion for all people being self-expressed and fulfilled is matched by her love for friends and family. She lives in Southern California with her husband and has 2 grown sons and 3 grandchildren.
What hopes and dreams did you have 20 years ago? To lead my company into the space business.
What do you love about aging? Perspective.
What talent would you like to have? The talent for foreign language.
What are you most proud of yourself for? My career.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Skiing down a mountain in untracked powder.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? In 1998, I participated in a weekend program called The Landmark Forum. During the course, I discovered that I am a “meaning making machine”and with that came enormous freedom.
What would you like to be remembered for? Being an effective leader who made a difference for our country and for our workforce.
What do you most treasure? My wife Kelly.
If you could invite three people – living or dead – to dinner, who would you invite? Werner von Braun, Elon Musk, Neil Armstrong.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? To go to Mars (and return!)
What is your favorite word? Juxtaposition.
What is your favorite sound? My Porsche when accelerating at full power.
Who’s your favorite musician or band? The Rolling Stones.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Paris, France.
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Space.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Oreos in any form.
Doug Young spent 35 years designing and building spacecraft and aircraft. He lived half his life in New England and half in Los Angeles. He remains very active–playing tennis, cycling, skiing, and completing triathlons.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? When I got that people’s perceptions of me don’t define who I am.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To be wildly successful in the entertainment industry and be happily married.
What do you love about aging? I have a mastery over my craft I didn’t have 20 years ago. And I love seeing that I’m just as passionate and engaged now as I ever was. My biggest lesson from losing my husband is a new perspective into what matters and what doesn’t. The only thing that really matters is…Love.
What are you most proud of yourself for? Working with one of the biggest rock bands in history.
What talent would you like to have? To play guitar.
What would you like to be remembered for? My artistic talent, my huge heart, and my fearlessness.
What do you most treasure? My family.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Lying in bed with a man I love, laughing hysterically together as we bask in the afterglow of lovemaking.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Joni Mitchell, Anne Boleyn, Maya Angelou.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Run away with the circus.
What’s your favorite word? Languid.
What’s your favorite sound? My husband breathing as he slept.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Joni Mitchell, or ME!
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Hawaii.
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Mainland China or Fiji.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? The chocolate mousse pie from Greenblatt’s Deli.
Durga McBroom is a singer/songwriter/actress, best known for her work with Pink Floyd and her band Blue Pearl. She travels the world performing and spreading joy.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Helicopter skiing in Banff and Jasper.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? In 1976, when I did the EST Training, I discovered that I had been adding a tremendous amount of significance to certain events in my past. Letting go of all that drama really freed me up.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? That my children would both have successful, happy lives that they loved.
What do you love about aging? The Wisdom that comes with aging.
What talent would you like to have? The knowledge of “investing in the stock market”
What are you most proud of yourself for? That I am winning the Second Half.
What would you like to be remembered for? Making a difference.
What do you most treasure? The divine knowledge that has been revealed to me.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Walt Disney, Beethoven, and my Grandfather John.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Be cast in a Hallmark Christmas movie with no prior acting experience.
What’s your favorite word? Winter.
What’s your favorite sound? A thunder storm.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Pentatonic.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Japan.
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Prague.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Chocolate dipped ice cream cone.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? To engage with others where the art, science, and attitude meet to create a new narrative for aging.
Gail Elen was born and raised in Canada and is deeply committed to her own growth and development. She had a successful legal career, and has also worked both as a radio host and in Corporate Relations for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee during the 1984 Olympic Games. A snow skier and synchronized swimmer, she is passionate about health and well being and always up for an adventure. She has swum with dolphins and completed the Tony Robbins Firewalk three times. A mother and grandmother, Gail was once honored with the Young Mother of the Year award for California. A lover of beauty and the arts, she is also an accomplished Pysanka egg designer and home chef.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Living and studying and painting in Italy.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Being with my good friends, with a glass of wine and lots of laughter.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? Getting I was free to create my life and there was nothing stopping me.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To contribute transformation to as many people as possible.
What talent would you like to have? To be able to sing.
What are you most proud of yourself for? I gave birth to an enterprise of transformation for the world.
What do you most treasure? My grandchildren – Calvin, Kinley, and Cailyn.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Martin Luther King, Jr., My Dad, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
What would you like to be remembered for? Being of service to the world and loving people.
What’s your favorite word? Principles.
What’s your favorite sound? The birds singing outside my window at sunrise.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Besides the birds, any gospel choir.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Japan.
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Iceland.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Binging on a great Netflix series to the end and eating popcorn the whole time.
What do you love about aging? That I have all the wisdom of the past, and at the same time, I can create a totally new life.
Gale Barnum spent 45 years as a Manager, Coach and a Leader for Landmark Worldwide. She has coached and led programs for 150,000+ people all over the world, empowering them to create and fulfill new breakthrough possibilities for their life and living. She retired from that career in July of 2019 and she is actively engaged in and pursuing "what's next".
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Soaking and swimming in warm ocean water.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? Discovering at college that great results occur after doing the work!
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To enjoy a healthful retirement close to our children and grandchildren and the Pacific Ocean.
What do you love about aging? Expanding life with my wife Elizabeth while adapting to opportunity and circumstance.
What talent would you like to have? To relax through dance.
What are you most proud of yourself for? Sharing life with three strong and talented women, my wife and 2 daughters.
What would you like to be remembered for? As a source of kindness and generosity.
What do you most treasure? Time spent with our grandchildren.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Bill Maher, Robin Williams, and John Lennon
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Searching for the world’s best hokey pokey ice cream.
What’s your favorite word? Serenity
What’s your favorite sound? Waves breaking on a beach
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Queen
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Costa Rica
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Antarctica
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Enjoying great ice cream.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? To reconnect with friends and create new relationships.
Grant Gower was born and educated in New Zealand, Grant and his wife began their married life with what they thought would be a two year adventure living in Melbourne, Australia. Eleven years later they left Australia and moved to Cupertino, CA with their two daughers. Grant’s career in science, engineering, quality improvement, and team-building led to assignments in Europe before returning to Silicon Valley. His life-long quest for new experiences and challenges was fully satisfied as Marketing Director of a small manufacturing company until retirement in 2013.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Dancing with friends
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? Oh my, there have been so many. Probably: I am ok as I am.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? To live in a comfortable home which is welcoming to my friends. Be surrounded by friends, make a difference in the political arena. And be in a blissful relationship. Achieved all but the relationship(yet).
What do you love about aging? Being at ease about who I am.
What talent would you like to have? Sitting still
What are you most proud of yourself for? Raising a wonderful son (he is now 39) and allowing others to contribute to that
What would you like to be remembered for? My smile and ability to empower others (make them feel good about themselves)
What do you most treasure? My grandkids
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? My Mom, Annalena Baerbock (foreign secretary of Germany), Leigh Adams
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Hiking in Island
What’s your favorite word? Fabulous
What’s your favorite sound? Birds singing
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Alice Merton
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Small hotel outside of Sayuliat, Mexico – magical place
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Australia or New Zealand
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? I want to contribute to altering the conversation about aging.
*BIO COMING SOON*
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Being surrounded by my wife, children and grandchildren
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? Discovering the past does not have to determine my future
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? Being active, engaged and contributing to the quality of people’s lives
What do you love about aging? The wisdom that comes from experience and the ability to manage how I use it
What talent would you like to have? A photographic memory
What are you most proud of yourself for? My family
What would you like to be remembered for? Helping people tap into and express their highest creative potential
What do you most treasure? My family
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Howard Stern
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Climbing Mount Everest
What’s your favorite word? Amazing
What’s your favorite sound? The sound made when I shake the silverware tray really hard…for the joy it gives to my grandchildren when they hear it.
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Janis Joplin
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Longyearbyen near the North Pole
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? New Zealand
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? A pint of Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
After completing 40 years as a creative director and educator in advertising, Julian Ryder founded The Right Brain Project—a creativity education and training firm helping leaders build creative cultures within their organizations. He is also an activist with The Hunger Project and ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. When not working, you’ll find Julian playing golf, skiing, or surfing.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Walking in a redwood forest
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? When I realized I could play the electric bass.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? That my 3rd marriage would last. It has!
What do you love about aging? Having Grandchildren. Can’t have those when you’re young. ;-)
What talent would you like to have? Being able to beat box or be a ventriloquist
What are you most proud of yourself for? My 32 years of making a difference as a teacher, especially the last 15 as a Special Ed. Preschool teacher.
What would you like to be remembered for? My love of people
What do you most treasure? My marriage
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Paul McCartney, Michelle Obama & Werner Erhard
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? A first class trip to Ireland
What’s your favorite word? Love
What’s your favorite sound? Laughter
Who’s your favorite musician/band? The Beatles
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Costa Rica
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Ireland
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Eating Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream out of the carton
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? It’s an opportunity for connection and having powerful conversations with friends I don’t get to see on a regular basis.
Kathy Ping-Rogers is a Northern Californian, who took up acting in her retirement after teaching elementary and preschool for 32 years. She met and fell in love with her husband of 23 years because he played the guitar and sang. She loves singing harmony and performing with him and recently learned to play the electric bass to add another dimension to their musical performances.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? When I am almost overwhelmed by a sense of well-being.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? When I finally realized that it is more fun to be in partnership with others than to be alone.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? That when I retired I would find and follow a passion.
What do you love about aging? I love the freedom to do and say as I please, the time to volunteer for causes to which I am committed, the perspective on life that comes from (many) decades of experience, and the the boldness to have new friends and adventures.
What talent would you like to have? To speak and read a second language
What are you most proud of yourself for? For being an adventurer.
What would you like to be remembered for? Being one who serves others.
What do you most treasure? My extended family and the memories we share.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Jesus, Thomas Jefferson and Ruth Bader Ginsberg
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Doing scientific research in Anatarctica
What’s your favorite word? thrum
What’s your favorite sound? Boy soprano singing
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Back Street Boys
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Ireland
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Greenland
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Peanut Butter
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? I love my life and want to be surrounded by other elders who love theirs.
Leslie Nordby was born and educated on the East Coast, Leslie served as Assistant Director of Branches for the Los Angeles Public Library. She looooves to read almost anything - although she’s just beginning to enjoy poetry – and she participates in five book clubs. Now retired, Leslie lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Anson, and her 98-year-old father. She truly treasures her family and friends.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Dancing as if nobody’s watching. Laughing and snuggling with the man I love.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? Getting that I could love my body with all its imperfections.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? Living a long, happy, healthy life with the man of my dreams. Only the man has changed.
What do you love about aging? Letting go of caring what others think.
What talent would you like to have? I’d love to know how to ballroom dance with a partner or how to be an archeologist.
What are you most proud of yourself for? For founding Outrageous Elders Outreach, my project that encourages elders to live outrageous lives filled with adventure, play, love, laughter, learning and contribution – regardless of their age – and for posting a video of me dancing to “Dancing Queen” on my Facebook Outrageous Elders Outreach page.
What would you like to be remembered for? Besides starting Outrageous Elders Outreach, I’d like to be remembered for sharing my creativity in many different ways and for inspiring others to do likewise.
What do you most treasure? My chosen family and my home.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Carl Sagan, Pablo Neruda, and Mozart.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Traveling to outer space.
What’s your favorite word? delicious
What’s your favorite sound? marimba, xylophone, celesta, heavy metallic windchimes
Who’s your favorite musician/band? Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Beethoven
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Tuscany
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? I refuse to feel guilty! One of my favorite pleasures is moving to music.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? The Love of Aging Community Circles seemed like the perfect gathering place for my Outrageous Elders group to share, bond and grow, and for me to contribute the Love of Aging possibilities to that community.
Linda Summers Posey has been developing and sharing her creativity for over 40 years as a writer, jewelry designer, fine artist and intuitive painter. She is the founder of Outrageous Elders Outreach, a movement that empowers elders to live outrageous lives of adventure, love, laughter, learning and contribution – regardless of their age. A self-declared world traveler, she can’t wait to get back to traveling when the pandemic ebbs.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Sitting down to home cooked dinner with my entire family at the table.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? Giving birth to each of my children.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? A collection of Nature retreats all over the world.
What do you love about aging? The ease with which joy erupts
What talent would you like to have? Shapeshifting
What are you most proud of yourself for? Overcoming fear and learning to trust
What would you like to be remembered for? Awakening
What do you most treasure? My children and grandchildren, my Siberian Husky Maya, and awareness of life’s magnificence.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? The Dowager Empress Cixi, Harriet Tubman, and my granddaughter Luna
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Hike El Camino de Santiago trail with the entire Underhill Clan
What’s your favorite word? Love
What’s your favorite sound? Laughter, and I also love thunder
Who’s your favorite musician/band? At the moment, I love Sugarland. Also, The Moody Blues.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Sun Temple in Mesa Verde National Park
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? The Wall of China. Stonehenge.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Communing with other earthlings–dogs, wild cats, lions, whales, trees, and crows, to name of few.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? An opportunity to connect in community to share growth and allow eruptions of joy to emerge.
As a toddler, Lynn Underhill shared her bottle with a baby fawn. She has had a deep love of wild things ever since. At 74, a retired IBMer, Lynn now lives in Arizona where she creates art from echos of nature’s presence called SoulGardens.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? Gazing at nature’s beauty; including the faces of my loved ones.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? God is real, and I really can make a difference!
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? My life would turn out just fine!
What do you love about aging? The perspective which gives me wisdom to appreciate each moment.
What talent would you like to have? Singing!
What are you most proud of yourself for? Being a good friend and excellent volunteer.
What would you like to be remembered for? That I loved you!
What do you most treasure? Family
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Jesus, Oprah, Ram Dass
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? To marry and have children
What’s your favorite word? Namaste
What’s your favorite sound? Children giggling
Who’s your favorite musician/band? The Beatles
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Puerto Rico
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Kyoto, Japan, and India
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Television and food
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? I have participated in one and found it delightful. I recognize the positive impact it has had on me and want to share that with those I love.
Molly Byock is an early “Boomer”, who was loved in a wonderful family on the Jersey shore. She was an elementary and special ed teacher, who left education for other adventures that concluded with her retirement after 24 years with Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. She has been blessed by much but mostly by the incredible beings she has met along her journey.
What do you love about aging? Having time and experience to discover what's really important to me, and to indulge my curiosity.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? I had 4 minutes and fifteen seconds of nearly overwhelming continuous bliss when I conducted the Hallelujah Chorus Sing-along at Disney Hall with orchestra, organ, and 2,000 voices. (I've attached a photo of that experience.)
What was one of your biggest "aha" moments? When engaged to Laura, her (and now my) sons chose–at ages 4 and 6–to use my last name. It became clear that I was really a dad.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? The kids were then 14 and 16, and the real goal was to have them become happy and healthy adults who would, in their own ways, be contributing love and positivity in the world. That dream became real.
What are you most proud of yourself for? I'm most proud of not messing up my kids or my marriage too much. They're still the core of my life, so I must have gotten something right.
What would you like to be remembered for? I'd like to be remembered as the best looking man that ever lived, but that seems unlikely at this point. If am remembered at all, I'd like it to be for finding real joy in curiosity.
What talent would you like to have? I'd love to be able to tell a really good joke.
What do you most treasure? It's a boring answer, but what I truly treasure most are my family and friends.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Socrates, Sir Isaac Newton, and Hillary Clinton. Imagine the conversation!
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Going to space.
What's your favorite word? "Phlom" is a word that I made up with my kids... and
it means anything you want it to mean. Plus it's fun to say.
Who's your favorite musician/band? Phillip Glass.
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? Great Britain. Not entirely sure why, but it just feels good being there.
What's a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Antarctica.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? The soap opera, "The Young and the Restless."
What's your favorite sound? The sound of my wife Laura breathing next to me in bed.
Before retirement, Sandy Owen was computer engineer by day, but best known as a recording artist, playing his own compositions on piano. He released a dozen albums in the 70's, 80's and 90's and was played regularly on radio and TV.
What is your idea of a moment of perfect bliss? I help people discover the many practical ways we already have moments of bliss that are available to us every day. One example: In a rare moment of meditation, I reached a sacred space of timelessness, feeling as if all that was left was being an empty vessel ready to be filled. Another such moment, I asked, "What is possible for me now?" and clearly heard the reply in my ear: “You are God Source Creation” and was taken aback. I later learned that that response was not personal to me, but rather, for all humans.
What was one of your biggest “aha” moments? In a course, I created a project to teach pediatric cancer patients to make dolls representing their healing because dolls represent the Self. Miracles happened on the night of the event: 17 children ages 2 to 12 attended. Each made a Waldorf-style, wool-filled doll in 3 hours. One two-year-old left without attaching a tuft of wool under her doll's elf hat. I thought. “Ah, she has no hair" because many had lost their hair. But she returned that instant saying, “We forgot my hair!” When I shared the event, the course leader said, "Selma, you don't get that you are about magic." My aha: I finally realized it was possible for someone else to recognize and understand that about me. It was something I’d kept to myself since I was too young to remember.
What hopes and dreams did you have twenty years ago? By age 30, I was part of a community of 12 women who had fun celebrating monthly ceremonies for a dozen other women. We spent 18 years practicing and studying Shamanism together. Twenty years ago, I renewed my commitment to offer women health and spirit support at any age…so the dream continues.
What do you love about aging? I love that I can feel like I am 25 years old - no matter my age. Because of that mindset, I was guided to learn dozens of healing modalities that help me stay youthful, and I now serve as a resource for others.
What talent would you like to have? Voicing the healing guidance I was led to master such that I can contribute wellness to Mothers by teaching classes, adding to the “Superhero” talents that moms already embrace with the birth of a child.
What are you most proud of yourself for? That I followed my guidance to self-teach Yoga in 1971 when I was only 20-years-old. I devoted 5 hours a day for over 5 months resulting in complete healing of my childhood trauma. This allowed the opening of spontaneous gifts of such as lucid dreaming and out-of-body experiences.
What would you like to be remembered for? Helping people discover that everyone is born with capacities for healing and when those are accessed with ease we are able to keep ourselves (plus our families and friends) in our best health.
What do you most treasure? The memory of traveling for a year as an artist family in a Step-Van when my kids were 6 and 9 months old. We spent 3 mos. in Tucson doing street fairs; 3 mos. in Pasadena that included a UCLA show; 3 mos. at Lake Tahoe during their weekend summer shows; and 3 months in Palo Alto at a Christmas show. Our little family of four bonded newly.
If you could invite 3 people - living or dead - to dinner, who would you invite? Bonnie Raitt, Meryl Streep, John Lennon.
If you could have one great adventure, what would it be? Traveling to Italy to see Cities of Art and Design like Rome, Florence, and Turin – cities that beguile me with every step I take and where I can indulge in my favorite food!
What’s your favorite word? Magic
What’s your favorite sound? A baby's laugh
Who’s your favorite musician/band? The Beatles - forever!
Among the places you have traveled to, what was your favorite? New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment
What’s a place you would love to travel to and have never been? Hawaii
What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Enjoying the best homemade vanilla ice cream.
Why did you choose to be a Love of Aging Community Circle Host? To spread the word that aging is inevitable but living healthily is a choice we can continue to make throughout life!
Selma Harwell has been led to develop her intuitive gifts since childhood. An artist herself, she has been married to her artist husband for 49 years and counting. Selma realized her childhood dream of being a mother by age 23, then began self-studies in midwifery, fulfilling on her dream of a homebirth 5 years later. Her grown children remain her pride and purpose in life fulfilled and she stands for Motherhood as the Source of World Peace. Other roles that bring Selma joy include spiritual advisor, potter, poet, storyteller, and modern day medicine woman. Her next chapter is being in service to the world as a Bridge between Ancient Healing and New Science with Magic, Power, and Peace. And she will soon be a published author.
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