Cathy Beesey

Founder Stories Connecting Us

It is Seniors Month – October 2025 – A Prompt to Write 

Living in my third age has been surprisingly delightful with many moments of joy, although not perfect with possibly more moments of despair; and of course, no stage in my life has been perfect. I reflect: 

I am wiser although not more mature

I am quieter although not silent 

I am content although not settled 

I am kinder with myself although not always  

I notice the small things although not always 

I am a perfectionist although not perfect

I am creative although lack energy

I attend the gym although it is harder  

I look healthy although I live with a chronic illness  

In reading this set of statements I smile, more like a smirk, and wonder, then believe, this is who I have always been, always will be. There is something artificial in the construct I have created of – I am … although …  

And I wonder why such a fuss is made of retirement, a construct by society and by myself. All we do is retire from our work, not life, we do not fundamentally change, and not in the important ways. The only difference is that we live in our third age, not our first of childhood and teenage years, our second of family, friends, work, interests, and our third … well this is up to me.  

Copyright Cathy Beesey, October 2025. All rights reserved; this intellectual property belongs solely to Cathy Beesey.

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