[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
invisible not taken into consideration
invisible not taken into consideration ignored not perceptible I’m not
ignored not perceptible I’m not
ignored not perceptible I’m not invisible I am NOT old I am not old she
invisible I am NOT old I am not old she
invisible I am NOT old I am not old she said I am rare
said I am rare
said I am rare I am the standing ovation at the end of
I am the standing ovation at the end of
I am the standing ovation at the end of the play
the play
the play I am the hours connected like dots into
I am the hours connected like dots into
I am the hours connected like dots into good sense you may think I’m waiting
good sense you may think I’m waiting
good sense you may think I’m waiting today I say I’m waiting to be found
today I say I’m waiting to be found
today I say I’m waiting to be found I am a treasure I am a map and these
I am a treasure I am a map and these
I am a treasure I am a map and these wrinkles that you see are but
wrinkles that you see are but
wrinkles that you see are but impressions of my journey but if
impressions of my journey but if
impressions of my journey but if storyteller
storyteller
storyteller Samantha Reynolds so as I prepare to
Samantha Reynolds so as I prepare to
Samantha Reynolds so as I prepare to write and put a TED talk about the
write and put a TED talk about the
write and put a TED talk about the social norms of ageing and how we
social norms of ageing and how we
social norms of ageing and how we transform ordinary our country I
transform ordinary our country I
transform ordinary our country I realized it’s hard not to disenfranchise
realized it’s hard not to disenfranchise
realized it’s hard not to disenfranchise the part of the audience my young folks
the part of the audience my young folks
the part of the audience my young folks are going to think well this is just not
are going to think well this is just not
are going to think well this is just not relevant to us people on the cusp of are
relevant to us people on the cusp of are
relevant to us people on the cusp of are moving through middle-age might just
moving through middle-age might just
moving through middle-age might just think don’t remind me
think don’t remind me
think don’t remind me and then the folks that are older than
and then the folks that are older than
and then the folks that are older than my 58 might say hang on you don’t have
my 58 might say hang on you don’t have
my 58 might say hang on you don’t have the credit to talk about being old but
the credit to talk about being old but
the credit to talk about being old but honestly this is generational because I
honestly this is generational because I
honestly this is generational because I believe it’s time to show up for
believe it’s time to show up for
believe it’s time to show up for something different in this country it
something different in this country it
something different in this country it all started this summer I’d actually
all started this summer I’d actually
all started this summer I’d actually written another TED talk proposal for
written another TED talk proposal for
written another TED talk proposal for today and I wasn’t quite with it and I
today and I wasn’t quite with it and I
today and I wasn’t quite with it and I went out to throw the ball for my dog
went out to throw the ball for my dog
went out to throw the ball for my dog Rosa Parks and in between throwing the
Rosa Parks and in between throwing the
Rosa Parks and in between throwing the ball for Rosa I was dumping wheelbarrows
ball for Rosa I was dumping wheelbarrows
ball for Rosa I was dumping wheelbarrows full of dirt into the garden and after
full of dirt into the garden and after
full of dirt into the garden and after about those hundredth wheelbarrow load
about those hundredth wheelbarrow load
about those hundredth wheelbarrow load of dirt this thought came to my mind
of dirt this thought came to my mind
of dirt this thought came to my mind when are you going to be too old to do
when are you going to be too old to do
when are you going to be too old to do this I literally stopped in my tracks
this I literally stopped in my tracks
this I literally stopped in my tracks because that thought is so foreign to
because that thought is so foreign to
because that thought is so foreign to how I feel like I ate in the world and I
how I feel like I ate in the world and I
how I feel like I ate in the world and I looked around I was alone and a pet kind
looked around I was alone and a pet kind
looked around I was alone and a pet kind of formed in my stomach and I thought oh
of formed in my stomach and I thought oh
of formed in my stomach and I thought oh my gosh is it five years is it ten is it
my gosh is it five years is it ten is it
my gosh is it five years is it ten is it now since the question just came to me
now since the question just came to me
now since the question just came to me and once those questions started coming
and once those questions started coming
and once those questions started coming in I realized I’m really scared of
in I realized I’m really scared of
in I realized I’m really scared of getting older so I feel like this was
getting older so I feel like this was
getting older so I feel like this was kind of an inspired talk I was throwing
kind of an inspired talk I was throwing
kind of an inspired talk I was throwing the ball from my dog and that’s God
the ball from my dog and that’s God
the ball from my dog and that’s God backwards who knows but I started really
backwards who knows but I started really
backwards who knows but I started really doing a lot of thinking and talking to
doing a lot of thinking and talking to
doing a lot of thinking and talking to people about this and I decided I’ve
people about this and I decided I’ve
people about this and I decided I’ve kind of taken part in my own journey
kind of taken part in my own journey
kind of taken part in my own journey towards invisibility as an older older
towards invisibility as an older older
towards invisibility as an older older person think about how we are raised
person think about how we are raised
person think about how we are raised from birth we look forward to what’s
from birth we look forward to what’s
from birth we look forward to what’s next
next
next you know kindergarten then puberty and
you know kindergarten then puberty and
you know kindergarten then puberty and getting a license and moving on to the
getting a license and moving on to the
getting a license and moving on to the college and getting old enough to drink
college and getting old enough to drink
college and getting old enough to drink a toast to all those celebrations and
a toast to all those celebrations and
a toast to all those celebrations and then moving on to your career and in
then moving on to your career and in
then moving on to your career and in retirement and then you die and I I just
retirement and then you die and I I just
retirement and then you die and I I just got struck that mentally I didn’t
got struck that mentally I didn’t
got struck that mentally I didn’t prepare myself I mean I do hope not to
prepare myself I mean I do hope not to
prepare myself I mean I do hope not to ever retire because I love your teaching
ever retire because I love your teaching
ever retire because I love your teaching but you know I know to financially
but you know I know to financially
but you know I know to financially prepare for retirement in our country we
prepare for retirement in our country we
prepare for retirement in our country we know we’re all living longer right in
know we’re all living longer right in
know we’re all living longer right in fact the US Census Bureau predicts that
fact the US Census Bureau predicts that
fact the US Census Bureau predicts that by the Year 2035 for the first time ever
by the Year 2035 for the first time ever
by the Year 2035 for the first time ever there will be more older adults in this
there will be more older adults in this
there will be more older adults in this country than children let that sink in
country than children let that sink in
country than children let that sink in for a bit and here’s my question what
for a bit and here’s my question what
for a bit and here’s my question what are we doing to prepare ourselves here
are we doing to prepare ourselves here
are we doing to prepare ourselves here at these young ages to be ready to live
at these young ages to be ready to live
at these young ages to be ready to live lives of visibility as older adults and
lives of visibility as older adults and
lives of visibility as older adults and I did say visibility because I think in
I did say visibility because I think in
I did say visibility because I think in this country we have a problem making
this country we have a problem making
this country we have a problem making people invisible past a certain age in
people invisible past a certain age in
people invisible past a certain age in fact since I started investigating this
fact since I started investigating this
fact since I started investigating this I found out that there’s a such thing as
I found out that there’s a such thing as
I found out that there’s a such thing as called that as the Invisible Woman and
called that as the Invisible Woman and
called that as the Invisible Woman and it’s for women over 50s so I want to
it’s for women over 50s so I want to
it’s for women over 50s so I want to something now this is a really serious
something now this is a really serious
something now this is a really serious topic but I want to talk Luud about
topic but I want to talk Luud about
topic but I want to talk Luud about humor and something I figured out about
humor and something I figured out about
humor and something I figured out about Aging and humor first of all you need it
Aging and humor first of all you need it
Aging and humor first of all you need it and as a 31 year teaching veteran if you
and as a 31 year teaching veteran if you
and as a 31 year teaching veteran if you don’t want to be reminded of your age
don’t want to be reminded of your age
don’t want to be reminded of your age don’t teach I mean in kindergarten or
don’t teach I mean in kindergarten or
don’t teach I mean in kindergarten or first grade they think you’re Wonder
first grade they think you’re Wonder
first grade they think you’re Wonder Woman after that they think you’re
Woman after that they think you’re
Woman after that they think you’re ancient
ancient
ancient and so one year I was talking to my 8th
and so one year I was talking to my 8th
and so one year I was talking to my 8th graders and it was an inspired lecture
graders and it was an inspired lecture
graders and it was an inspired lecture about the burning of Atlanta 1864 it was
about the burning of Atlanta 1864 it was
about the burning of Atlanta 1864 it was in they were like you could smell the
in they were like you could smell the
in they were like you could smell the smoke
smoke
smoke I heard horses whinnying behind me
I heard horses whinnying behind me
I heard horses whinnying behind me General Sherman marches Union army out
General Sherman marches Union army out
General Sherman marches Union army out of Atlanta I heard their boots I stopped
of Atlanta I heard their boots I stopped
of Atlanta I heard their boots I stopped and it was transfixed and then yes
and it was transfixed and then yes
and it was transfixed and then yes Ramesses were you scared
that’s true now I laughed harder than
that’s true now I laughed harder than anybody in the room they practically had
anybody in the room they practically had
anybody in the room they practically had to pick me up off the floor
to pick me up off the floor
to pick me up off the floor and I thought it was I just decided it
and I thought it was I just decided it
and I thought it was I just decided it was my excellent teaching and not my age
was my excellent teaching and not my age
was my excellent teaching and not my age that made it so first hand but as I’ve
that made it so first hand but as I’ve
that made it so first hand but as I’ve gone through this I’ve also decided my
gone through this I’ve also decided my
gone through this I’ve also decided my own joking about my age that I have
own joking about my age that I have
own joking about my age that I have begun doing on a regular basis in my
begun doing on a regular basis in my
begun doing on a regular basis in my classroom of now high schoolers that I
classroom of now high schoolers that I
classroom of now high schoolers that I teach had given them permission to start
teach had given them permission to start
teach had given them permission to start doing the same and make you fun of my
doing the same and make you fun of my
doing the same and make you fun of my age as if it was the class joke you know
age as if it was the class joke you know
age as if it was the class joke you know Oh mom Elise you know she’s old as if I
Oh mom Elise you know she’s old as if I
Oh mom Elise you know she’s old as if I need more reminders okay every time I
need more reminders okay every time I
need more reminders okay every time I open a digital or physical mailbox
open a digital or physical mailbox
open a digital or physical mailbox there’s a reminder skincare for women
there’s a reminder skincare for women
there’s a reminder skincare for women over 50 Medicare I’m not old enough yet
over 50 Medicare I’m not old enough yet
over 50 Medicare I’m not old enough yet but I’m glad I’ll get it someday but you
but I’m glad I’ll get it someday but you
but I’m glad I’ll get it someday but you know the one that really got me that
know the one that really got me that
know the one that really got me that came in my mailbox cellphone with large
came in my mailbox cellphone with large
came in my mailbox cellphone with large numbers on a backlit keypad powerful
numbers on a backlit keypad powerful
numbers on a backlit keypad powerful speakers so that calls can be heard
speakers so that calls can be heard
speakers so that calls can be heard clearly and then it went on to say that
clearly and then it went on to say that
clearly and then it went on to say that there’s no bells and whistles so the
there’s no bells and whistles so the
there’s no bells and whistles so the technology’s not so confusing
technology’s not so confusing
technology’s not so confusing now again I’m glad for products like
now again I’m glad for products like
now again I’m glad for products like that when we need them but it’s the idea
that when we need them but it’s the idea
that when we need them but it’s the idea that I get too old or that so old that I
that I get too old or that so old that I
that I get too old or that so old that I can’t see hear or use technology that
can’t see hear or use technology that
can’t see hear or use technology that bothers me and did you know there’s a
bothers me and did you know there’s a
bothers me and did you know there’s a such thing as retail retirement there
such thing as retail retirement there
such thing as retail retirement there truly is for women over 50 you can look
truly is for women over 50 you can look
truly is for women over 50 you can look up a list that tells you things not to
up a list that tells you things not to
up a list that tells you things not to wear now I am NOT going out today to buy
wear now I am NOT going out today to buy
wear now I am NOT going out today to buy a micro mini skirt so no worries I wish
a micro mini skirt so no worries I wish
a micro mini skirt so no worries I wish I could though just reading I can’t and
I could though just reading I can’t and
I could though just reading I can’t and I will tell you something I’ll never
I will tell you something I’ll never
I will tell you something I’ll never give up glitter now I think that we kind
give up glitter now I think that we kind
give up glitter now I think that we kind of have you know in our culture we had
of have you know in our culture we had
of have you know in our culture we had this philosophy of you’re this age go
this philosophy of you’re this age go
this philosophy of you’re this age go play bingo and move to a community for
play bingo and move to a community for
play bingo and move to a community for people your age I ask you what’s wrong
people your age I ask you what’s wrong
people your age I ask you what’s wrong with integrated communities when did we
with integrated communities when did we
with integrated communities when did we stop deciding that people have relevance
stop deciding that people have relevance
stop deciding that people have relevance and need to be out of the community at a
and need to be out of the community at a
and need to be out of the community at a certain age right what is the cutoff
certain age right what is the cutoff
certain age right what is the cutoff date for relevance as a human I don’t
date for relevance as a human I don’t
date for relevance as a human I don’t think there is one personally I also
think there is one personally I also
think there is one personally I also wonder how many countries have entire
wonder how many countries have entire
wonder how many countries have entire aisles dedicated to over the hill party
aisles dedicated to over the hill party
aisles dedicated to over the hill party now I don’t know and I thought those mom
now I don’t know and I thought those mom
now I don’t know and I thought those mom myself right but I just wonder the
myself right but I just wonder the
myself right but I just wonder the message I really do and I’ll tell you
message I really do and I’ll tell you
message I really do and I’ll tell you something a few years ago I went over a
something a few years ago I went over a
something a few years ago I went over a hill but it was one of Colorado’s famous
hill but it was one of Colorado’s famous
hill but it was one of Colorado’s famous for teeners a mountainous towards two
for teeners a mountainous towards two
for teeners a mountainous towards two and a half miles in the sky yep and
and a half miles in the sky yep and
and a half miles in the sky yep and what’s really cool is I was with a group
what’s really cool is I was with a group
what’s really cool is I was with a group of people ranging in age from their 20s
of people ranging in age from their 20s
of people ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s and the secret is I mean I
to their 60s and the secret is I mean I
to their 60s and the secret is I mean I summit at that mountain and I act like I
summit at that mountain and I act like I
summit at that mountain and I act like I was the first person that ever did it
was the first person that ever did it
was the first person that ever did it but the secret is that it was those
but the secret is that it was those
but the secret is that it was those young people in front of me on the path
young people in front of me on the path
young people in front of me on the path and behind me on the path saying you got
and behind me on the path saying you got
and behind me on the path saying you got this you got this so maybe maybe maybe
this you got this so maybe maybe maybe
this you got this so maybe maybe maybe we really are all better together
we really are all better together
we really are all better together regardless what stories do we miss when
regardless what stories do we miss when
regardless what stories do we miss when we stop at the outer shell of a person
we stop at the outer shell of a person
we stop at the outer shell of a person what is inside of that person for
what is inside of that person for
what is inside of that person for whatever reason we stop at the outer
whatever reason we stop at the outer
whatever reason we stop at the outer shell what are we not getting to hear
shell what are we not getting to hear
shell what are we not getting to hear and what are we as older people missing
and what are we as older people missing
and what are we as older people missing out on when we’re not out sharing our
out on when we’re not out sharing our
out on when we’re not out sharing our own stories friend a family member asked
own stories friend a family member asked
own stories friend a family member asked me last night what do you hope the
me last night what do you hope the
me last night what do you hope the takeaway is for your talk today and I
takeaway is for your talk today and I
takeaway is for your talk today and I you had to really think about it and I I
you had to really think about it and I I
you had to really think about it and I I rewrote my ending so tell people I’m not
rewrote my ending so tell people I’m not
rewrote my ending so tell people I’m not going to get off the rails too much but
going to get off the rails too much but
going to get off the rails too much but here’s my answer to that here’s my
here’s my answer to that here’s my
here’s my answer to that here’s my answer it’s time to show up it’s time
answer it’s time to show up it’s time
answer it’s time to show up it’s time for a revolution in this country we are
for a revolution in this country we are
for a revolution in this country we are living longer and instant I don’t get me
living longer and instant I don’t get me
living longer and instant I don’t get me wrong the fact that we take care of our
wrong the fact that we take care of our
wrong the fact that we take care of our older parents is golden but it’s more
older parents is golden but it’s more
older parents is golden but it’s more than that there’s a community of parents
than that there’s a community of parents
than that there’s a community of parents out there that have something to give
out there that have something to give
out there that have something to give back and don’t just need to be taken
back and don’t just need to be taken
back and don’t just need to be taken care of as young as some of you are you
care of as young as some of you are you
care of as young as some of you are you may think this is so far down the road
may think this is so far down the road
may think this is so far down the road it’s a blink of an eye trust me like
it’s a blink of an eye trust me like
it’s a blink of an eye trust me like that is here and you know yeah aging
that is here and you know yeah aging
that is here and you know yeah aging we’re aging from birth and we’re dealing
we’re aging from birth and we’re dealing
we’re aging from birth and we’re dealing with limitations from birth right I’ve
with limitations from birth right I’ve
with limitations from birth right I’ve never judged a baby for not walking
never judged a baby for not walking
never judged a baby for not walking so why do we judge people at a certain
so why do we judge people at a certain
so why do we judge people at a certain age for their own limitations so here’s
age for their own limitations so here’s
age for their own limitations so here’s my call a my challenge to all of you
my call a my challenge to all of you
my call a my challenge to all of you first of all I ask that you start
first of all I ask that you start
first of all I ask that you start listening to stories and asking for
listening to stories and asking for
listening to stories and asking for stories and I want you to start telling
stories and I want you to start telling
stories and I want you to start telling your story that is what connects us as
your story that is what connects us as
your story that is what connects us as humans the story who we are inside of
humans the story who we are inside of
humans the story who we are inside of ourselves in fact as a seasoned to
ourselves in fact as a seasoned to
ourselves in fact as a seasoned to educator I’ve often dealt with something
educator I’ve often dealt with something
educator I’ve often dealt with something called the Common Core Curriculum but
called the Common Core Curriculum but
called the Common Core Curriculum but long before that came along I was
long before that came along I was
long before that came along I was thinking about the Common Core right
thinking about the Common Core right
thinking about the Common Core right here right here is where you and I and
here right here is where you and I and
here right here is where you and I and this whole room live and if we can
this whole room live and if we can
this whole room live and if we can acknowledge that core and if we start
acknowledge that core and if we start
acknowledge that core and if we start looking beyond our comfort zone to start
looking beyond our comfort zone to start
looking beyond our comfort zone to start integrate out can we integrate to start
integrate out can we integrate to start
integrate out can we integrate to start integrating our communities will only be
integrating our communities will only be
integrating our communities will only be richer for it once you do something with
richer for it once you do something with
richer for it once you do something with me please put your hand right here now
me please put your hand right here now
me please put your hand right here now look around the room and make sure you
look around the room and make sure you
look around the room and make sure you notice the differences in our gender our
notice the differences in our gender our
notice the differences in our gender our ethnicity and our age not here you know
ethnicity and our age not here you know
ethnicity and our age not here you know I want you to say something for me I am
I want you to say something for me I am
I want you to say something for me I am present I see you
present I see you
present I see you you’re visible please don’t settle for
you’re visible please don’t settle for
you’re visible please don’t settle for not living a life of visibility and for
not living a life of visibility and for
not living a life of visibility and for those of you who have not gotten as far
those of you who have not gotten as far
those of you who have not gotten as far along as I have in as many trips around
along as I have in as many trips around
along as I have in as many trips around the Sun yet start preparing now to not
the Sun yet start preparing now to not
the Sun yet start preparing now to not let yourself lose relevance start
let yourself lose relevance start
let yourself lose relevance start preparing now to live a life where
preparing now to live a life where
preparing now to live a life where nobody can sideline you start it now
nobody can sideline you start it now
nobody can sideline you start it now visible able to be seen not ignored
visible able to be seen not ignored
visible able to be seen not ignored taken into consideration thank you
taken into consideration thank you
taken into consideration thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
you
you [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
invisible not taken into consideration
invisible not taken into consideration ignored not perceptible I’m not
ignored not perceptible I’m not
ignored not perceptible I’m not invisible I am NOT old I am not old she
invisible I am NOT old I am not old she
invisible I am NOT old I am not old she said I am rare
said I am rare
said I am rare I am the standing ovation at the end of
I am the standing ovation at the end of
I am the standing ovation at the end of the play
the play
the play I am the hours connected like dots into
I am the hours connected like dots into
I am the hours connected like dots into good sense you may think I’m waiting
good sense you may think I’m waiting
good sense you may think I’m waiting today I say I’m waiting to be found
today I say I’m waiting to be found
today I say I’m waiting to be found I am a treasure I am a map and these
I am a treasure I am a map and these
I am a treasure I am a map and these wrinkles that you see are but
wrinkles that you see are but
wrinkles that you see are but impressions of my journey but if
impressions of my journey but if
impressions of my journey but if storyteller
storyteller
storyteller Samantha Reynolds so as I prepare to
Samantha Reynolds so as I prepare to
Samantha Reynolds so as I prepare to write and put a TED talk about the
write and put a TED talk about the
write and put a TED talk about the social norms of ageing and how we
social norms of ageing and how we
social norms of ageing and how we transform ordinary our country I
transform ordinary our country I
transform ordinary our country I realized it’s hard not to disenfranchise
realized it’s hard not to disenfranchise
realized it’s hard not to disenfranchise the part of the audience my young folks
the part of the audience my young folks
the part of the audience my young folks are going to think well this is just not
are going to think well this is just not
are going to think well this is just not relevant to us people on the cusp of are
relevant to us people on the cusp of are
relevant to us people on the cusp of are moving through middle-age might just
moving through middle-age might just
moving through middle-age might just think don’t remind me
think don’t remind me
think don’t remind me and then the folks that are older than
and then the folks that are older than
and then the folks that are older than my 58 might say hang on you don’t have
my 58 might say hang on you don’t have
my 58 might say hang on you don’t have the credit to talk about being old but
the credit to talk about being old but
the credit to talk about being old but honestly this is generational because I
honestly this is generational because I
honestly this is generational because I believe it’s time to show up for
believe it’s time to show up for
believe it’s time to show up for something different in this country it
something different in this country it
something different in this country it all started this summer I’d actually
all started this summer I’d actually
all started this summer I’d actually written another TED talk proposal for
written another TED talk proposal for
written another TED talk proposal for today and I wasn’t quite with it and I
today and I wasn’t quite with it and I
today and I wasn’t quite with it and I went out to throw the ball for my dog
went out to throw the ball for my dog
went out to throw the ball for my dog Rosa Parks and in between throwing the
Rosa Parks and in between throwing the
Rosa Parks and in between throwing the ball for Rosa I was dumping wheelbarrows
ball for Rosa I was dumping wheelbarrows
ball for Rosa I was dumping wheelbarrows full of dirt into the garden and after
full of dirt into the garden and after
full of dirt into the garden and after about those hundredth wheelbarrow load
about those hundredth wheelbarrow load
about those hundredth wheelbarrow load of dirt this thought came to my mind
of dirt this thought came to my mind
of dirt this thought came to my mind when are you going to be too old to do
when are you going to be too old to do
when are you going to be too old to do this I literally stopped in my tracks
this I literally stopped in my tracks
this I literally stopped in my tracks because that thought is so foreign to
because that thought is so foreign to
because that thought is so foreign to how I feel like I ate in the world and I
how I feel like I ate in the world and I
how I feel like I ate in the world and I looked around I was alone and a pet kind
looked around I was alone and a pet kind
looked around I was alone and a pet kind of formed in my stomach and I thought oh
of formed in my stomach and I thought oh
of formed in my stomach and I thought oh my gosh is it five years is it ten is it
my gosh is it five years is it ten is it
my gosh is it five years is it ten is it now since the question just came to me
now since the question just came to me
now since the question just came to me and once those questions started coming
and once those questions started coming
and once those questions started coming in I realized I’m really scared of
in I realized I’m really scared of
in I realized I’m really scared of getting older so I feel like this was
getting older so I feel like this was
getting older so I feel like this was kind of an inspired talk I was throwing
kind of an inspired talk I was throwing
kind of an inspired talk I was throwing the ball from my dog and that’s God
the ball from my dog and that’s God
the ball from my dog and that’s God backwards who knows but I started really
backwards who knows but I started really
backwards who knows but I started really doing a lot of thinking and talking to
doing a lot of thinking and talking to
doing a lot of thinking and talking to people about this and I decided I’ve
people about this and I decided I’ve
people about this and I decided I’ve kind of taken part in my own journey
kind of taken part in my own journey
kind of taken part in my own journey towards invisibility as an older older
towards invisibility as an older older
towards invisibility as an older older person think about how we are raised
person think about how we are raised
person think about how we are raised from birth we look forward to what’s
from birth we look forward to what’s
from birth we look forward to what’s next
next
next you know kindergarten then puberty and
you know kindergarten then puberty and
you know kindergarten then puberty and getting a license and moving on to the
getting a license and moving on to the
getting a license and moving on to the college and getting old enough to drink
college and getting old enough to drink
college and getting old enough to drink a toast to all those celebrations and
a toast to all those celebrations and
a toast to all those celebrations and then moving on to your career and in
then moving on to your career and in
then moving on to your career and in retirement and then you die and I I just
retirement and then you die and I I just
retirement and then you die and I I just got struck that mentally I didn’t
got struck that mentally I didn’t
got struck that mentally I didn’t prepare myself I mean I do hope not to
prepare myself I mean I do hope not to
prepare myself I mean I do hope not to ever retire because I love your teaching
ever retire because I love your teaching
ever retire because I love your teaching but you know I know to financially
but you know I know to financially
but you know I know to financially prepare for retirement in our country we
prepare for retirement in our country we
prepare for retirement in our country we know we’re all living longer right in
know we’re all living longer right in
know we’re all living longer right in fact the US Census Bureau predicts that
fact the US Census Bureau predicts that
fact the US Census Bureau predicts that by the Year 2035 for the first time ever
by the Year 2035 for the first time ever
by the Year 2035 for the first time ever there will be more older adults in this
there will be more older adults in this
there will be more older adults in this country than children let that sink in
country than children let that sink in
country than children let that sink in for a bit and here’s my question what
for a bit and here’s my question what
for a bit and here’s my question what are we doing to prepare ourselves here
are we doing to prepare ourselves here
are we doing to prepare ourselves here at these young ages to be ready to live
at these young ages to be ready to live
at these young ages to be ready to live lives of visibility as older adults and
lives of visibility as older adults and
lives of visibility as older adults and I did say visibility because I think in
I did say visibility because I think in
I did say visibility because I think in this country we have a problem making
this country we have a problem making
this country we have a problem making people invisible past a certain age in
people invisible past a certain age in
people invisible past a certain age in fact since I started investigating this
fact since I started investigating this
fact since I started investigating this I found out that there’s a such thing as
I found out that there’s a such thing as
I found out that there’s a such thing as called that as the Invisible Woman and
called that as the Invisible Woman and
called that as the Invisible Woman and it’s for women over 50s so I want to
it’s for women over 50s so I want to
it’s for women over 50s so I want to something now this is a really serious
something now this is a really serious
something now this is a really serious topic but I want to talk Luud about
topic but I want to talk Luud about
topic but I want to talk Luud about humor and something I figured out about
humor and something I figured out about
humor and something I figured out about Aging and humor first of all you need it
Aging and humor first of all you need it
Aging and humor first of all you need it and as a 31 year teaching veteran if you
and as a 31 year teaching veteran if you
and as a 31 year teaching veteran if you don’t want to be reminded of your age
don’t want to be reminded of your age
don’t want to be reminded of your age don’t teach I mean in kindergarten or
don’t teach I mean in kindergarten or
don’t teach I mean in kindergarten or first grade they think you’re Wonder
first grade they think you’re Wonder
first grade they think you’re Wonder Woman after that they think you’re
Woman after that they think you’re
Woman after that they think you’re ancient
ancient
ancient and so one year I was talking to my 8th
and so one year I was talking to my 8th
and so one year I was talking to my 8th graders and it was an inspired lecture
graders and it was an inspired lecture
graders and it was an inspired lecture about the burning of Atlanta 1864 it was
about the burning of Atlanta 1864 it was
about the burning of Atlanta 1864 it was in they were like you could smell the
in they were like you could smell the
in they were like you could smell the smoke
smoke
smoke I heard horses whinnying behind me
I heard horses whinnying behind me
I heard horses whinnying behind me General Sherman marches Union army out
General Sherman marches Union army out
General Sherman marches Union army out of Atlanta I heard their boots I stopped
of Atlanta I heard their boots I stopped
of Atlanta I heard their boots I stopped and it was transfixed and then yes
and it was transfixed and then yes
and it was transfixed and then yes Ramesses were you scared
that’s true now I laughed harder than
that’s true now I laughed harder than anybody in the room they practically had
anybody in the room they practically had
anybody in the room they practically had to pick me up off the floor
to pick me up off the floor
to pick me up off the floor and I thought it was I just decided it
and I thought it was I just decided it
and I thought it was I just decided it was my excellent teaching and not my age
was my excellent teaching and not my age
was my excellent teaching and not my age that made it so first hand but as I’ve
that made it so first hand but as I’ve
that made it so first hand but as I’ve gone through this I’ve also decided my
gone through this I’ve also decided my
gone through this I’ve also decided my own joking about my age that I have
own joking about my age that I have
own joking about my age that I have begun doing on a regular basis in my
begun doing on a regular basis in my
begun doing on a regular basis in my classroom of now high schoolers that I
classroom of now high schoolers that I
classroom of now high schoolers that I teach had given them permission to start
teach had given them permission to start
teach had given them permission to start doing the same and make you fun of my
doing the same and make you fun of my
doing the same and make you fun of my age as if it was the class joke you know
age as if it was the class joke you know
age as if it was the class joke you know Oh mom Elise you know she’s old as if I
Oh mom Elise you know she’s old as if I
Oh mom Elise you know she’s old as if I need more reminders okay every time I
need more reminders okay every time I
need more reminders okay every time I open a digital or physical mailbox
open a digital or physical mailbox
open a digital or physical mailbox there’s a reminder skincare for women
there’s a reminder skincare for women
there’s a reminder skincare for women over 50 Medicare I’m not old enough yet
over 50 Medicare I’m not old enough yet
over 50 Medicare I’m not old enough yet but I’m glad I’ll get it someday but you
but I’m glad I’ll get it someday but you
but I’m glad I’ll get it someday but you know the one that really got me that
know the one that really got me that
know the one that really got me that came in my mailbox cellphone with large
came in my mailbox cellphone with large
came in my mailbox cellphone with large numbers on a backlit keypad powerful
numbers on a backlit keypad powerful
numbers on a backlit keypad powerful speakers so that calls can be heard
speakers so that calls can be heard
speakers so that calls can be heard clearly and then it went on to say that
clearly and then it went on to say that
clearly and then it went on to say that there’s no bells and whistles so the
there’s no bells and whistles so the
there’s no bells and whistles so the technology’s not so confusing
technology’s not so confusing
technology’s not so confusing now again I’m glad for products like
now again I’m glad for products like
now again I’m glad for products like that when we need them but it’s the idea
that when we need them but it’s the idea
that when we need them but it’s the idea that I get too old or that so old that I
that I get too old or that so old that I
that I get too old or that so old that I can’t see hear or use technology that
can’t see hear or use technology that
can’t see hear or use technology that bothers me and did you know there’s a
bothers me and did you know there’s a
bothers me and did you know there’s a such thing as retail retirement there
such thing as retail retirement there
such thing as retail retirement there truly is for women over 50 you can look
truly is for women over 50 you can look
truly is for women over 50 you can look up a list that tells you things not to
up a list that tells you things not to
up a list that tells you things not to wear now I am NOT going out today to buy
wear now I am NOT going out today to buy
wear now I am NOT going out today to buy a micro mini skirt so no worries I wish
a micro mini skirt so no worries I wish
a micro mini skirt so no worries I wish I could though just reading I can’t and
I could though just reading I can’t and
I could though just reading I can’t and I will tell you something I’ll never
I will tell you something I’ll never
I will tell you something I’ll never give up glitter now I think that we kind
give up glitter now I think that we kind
give up glitter now I think that we kind of have you know in our culture we had
of have you know in our culture we had
of have you know in our culture we had this philosophy of you’re this age go
this philosophy of you’re this age go
this philosophy of you’re this age go play bingo and move to a community for
play bingo and move to a community for
play bingo and move to a community for people your age I ask you what’s wrong
people your age I ask you what’s wrong
people your age I ask you what’s wrong with integrated communities when did we
with integrated communities when did we
with integrated communities when did we stop deciding that people have relevance
stop deciding that people have relevance
stop deciding that people have relevance and need to be out of the community at a
and need to be out of the community at a
and need to be out of the community at a certain age right what is the cutoff
certain age right what is the cutoff
certain age right what is the cutoff date for relevance as a human I don’t
date for relevance as a human I don’t
date for relevance as a human I don’t think there is one personally I also
think there is one personally I also
think there is one personally I also wonder how many countries have entire
wonder how many countries have entire
wonder how many countries have entire aisles dedicated to over the hill party
aisles dedicated to over the hill party
aisles dedicated to over the hill party now I don’t know and I thought those mom
now I don’t know and I thought those mom
now I don’t know and I thought those mom myself right but I just wonder the
myself right but I just wonder the
myself right but I just wonder the message I really do and I’ll tell you
message I really do and I’ll tell you
message I really do and I’ll tell you something a few years ago I went over a
something a few years ago I went over a
something a few years ago I went over a hill but it was one of Colorado’s famous
hill but it was one of Colorado’s famous
hill but it was one of Colorado’s famous for teeners a mountainous towards two
for teeners a mountainous towards two
for teeners a mountainous towards two and a half miles in the sky yep and
and a half miles in the sky yep and
and a half miles in the sky yep and what’s really cool is I was with a group
what’s really cool is I was with a group
what’s really cool is I was with a group of people ranging in age from their 20s
of people ranging in age from their 20s
of people ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s and the secret is I mean I
to their 60s and the secret is I mean I
to their 60s and the secret is I mean I summit at that mountain and I act like I
summit at that mountain and I act like I
summit at that mountain and I act like I was the first person that ever did it
was the first person that ever did it
was the first person that ever did it but the secret is that it was those
but the secret is that it was those
but the secret is that it was those young people in front of me on the path
young people in front of me on the path
young people in front of me on the path and behind me on the path saying you got
and behind me on the path saying you got
and behind me on the path saying you got this you got this so maybe maybe maybe
this you got this so maybe maybe maybe
this you got this so maybe maybe maybe we really are all better together
we really are all better together
we really are all better together regardless what stories do we miss when
regardless what stories do we miss when
regardless what stories do we miss when we stop at the outer shell of a person
we stop at the outer shell of a person
we stop at the outer shell of a person what is inside of that person for
what is inside of that person for
what is inside of that person for whatever reason we stop at the outer
whatever reason we stop at the outer
whatever reason we stop at the outer shell what are we not getting to hear
shell what are we not getting to hear
shell what are we not getting to hear and what are we as older people missing
and what are we as older people missing
and what are we as older people missing out on when we’re not out sharing our
out on when we’re not out sharing our
out on when we’re not out sharing our own stories friend a family member asked
own stories friend a family member asked
own stories friend a family member asked me last night what do you hope the
me last night what do you hope the
me last night what do you hope the takeaway is for your talk today and I
takeaway is for your talk today and I
takeaway is for your talk today and I you had to really think about it and I I
you had to really think about it and I I
you had to really think about it and I I rewrote my ending so tell people I’m not
rewrote my ending so tell people I’m not
rewrote my ending so tell people I’m not going to get off the rails too much but
going to get off the rails too much but
going to get off the rails too much but here’s my answer to that here’s my
here’s my answer to that here’s my
here’s my answer to that here’s my answer it’s time to show up it’s time
answer it’s time to show up it’s time
answer it’s time to show up it’s time for a revolution in this country we are
for a revolution in this country we are
for a revolution in this country we are living longer and instant I don’t get me
living longer and instant I don’t get me
living longer and instant I don’t get me wrong the fact that we take care of our
wrong the fact that we take care of our
wrong the fact that we take care of our older parents is golden but it’s more
older parents is golden but it’s more
older parents is golden but it’s more than that there’s a community of parents
than that there’s a community of parents
than that there’s a community of parents out there that have something to give
out there that have something to give
out there that have something to give back and don’t just need to be taken
back and don’t just need to be taken
back and don’t just need to be taken care of as young as some of you are you
care of as young as some of you are you
care of as young as some of you are you may think this is so far down the road
may think this is so far down the road
may think this is so far down the road it’s a blink of an eye trust me like
it’s a blink of an eye trust me like
it’s a blink of an eye trust me like that is here and you know yeah aging
that is here and you know yeah aging
that is here and you know yeah aging we’re aging from birth and we’re dealing
we’re aging from birth and we’re dealing
we’re aging from birth and we’re dealing with limitations from birth right I’ve
with limitations from birth right I’ve
with limitations from birth right I’ve never judged a baby for not walking
never judged a baby for not walking
never judged a baby for not walking so why do we judge people at a certain
so why do we judge people at a certain
so why do we judge people at a certain age for their own limitations so here’s
age for their own limitations so here’s
age for their own limitations so here’s my call a my challenge to all of you
my call a my challenge to all of you
my call a my challenge to all of you first of all I ask that you start
first of all I ask that you start
first of all I ask that you start listening to stories and asking for
listening to stories and asking for
listening to stories and asking for stories and I want you to start telling
stories and I want you to start telling
stories and I want you to start telling your story that is what connects us as
your story that is what connects us as
your story that is what connects us as humans the story who we are inside of
humans the story who we are inside of
humans the story who we are inside of ourselves in fact as a seasoned to
ourselves in fact as a seasoned to
ourselves in fact as a seasoned to educator I’ve often dealt with something
educator I’ve often dealt with something
educator I’ve often dealt with something called the Common Core Curriculum but
called the Common Core Curriculum but
called the Common Core Curriculum but long before that came along I was
long before that came along I was
long before that came along I was thinking about the Common Core right
thinking about the Common Core right
thinking about the Common Core right here right here is where you and I and
here right here is where you and I and
here right here is where you and I and this whole room live and if we can
this whole room live and if we can
this whole room live and if we can acknowledge that core and if we start
acknowledge that core and if we start
acknowledge that core and if we start looking beyond our comfort zone to start
looking beyond our comfort zone to start
looking beyond our comfort zone to start integrate out can we integrate to start
integrate out can we integrate to start
integrate out can we integrate to start integrating our communities will only be
integrating our communities will only be
integrating our communities will only be richer for it once you do something with
richer for it once you do something with
richer for it once you do something with me please put your hand right here now
me please put your hand right here now
me please put your hand right here now look around the room and make sure you
look around the room and make sure you
look around the room and make sure you notice the differences in our gender our
notice the differences in our gender our
notice the differences in our gender our ethnicity and our age not here you know
ethnicity and our age not here you know
ethnicity and our age not here you know I want you to say something for me I am
I want you to say something for me I am
I want you to say something for me I am present I see you
present I see you
present I see you you’re visible please don’t settle for
you’re visible please don’t settle for
you’re visible please don’t settle for not living a life of visibility and for
not living a life of visibility and for
not living a life of visibility and for those of you who have not gotten as far
those of you who have not gotten as far
those of you who have not gotten as far along as I have in as many trips around
along as I have in as many trips around
along as I have in as many trips around the Sun yet start preparing now to not
the Sun yet start preparing now to not
the Sun yet start preparing now to not let yourself lose relevance start
let yourself lose relevance start
let yourself lose relevance start preparing now to live a life where
preparing now to live a life where
preparing now to live a life where nobody can sideline you start it now
nobody can sideline you start it now
nobody can sideline you start it now visible able to be seen not ignored
visible able to be seen not ignored
visible able to be seen not ignored taken into consideration thank you
taken into consideration thank you
taken into consideration thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
you
you [Music]
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