Amen to this! I’ve climbed many a hill in my 65 years (including 115 miles of walking in two weeks on the Camino de Santiago when I was 64, keeping up with my 32-year-old daughter. So from now on, let’s say ‘Over the hill’ is the finest compliment there is 😀thanks Abigail!
There are also Tsunamis we have to survive. I'll be 80 next week. Grown children rescues and learning to forget those traumas as they grow older and rescue their own. Two grand children living and dying. That's one helluva hill I had to climb in order to remain sane. Sort of. "Over the Hill?" On the first application for Social Security for Medicare, after the instruction click to Submit, the message said, "Welcome to page for the aged." I needed to suck my thumb. That was 25 years ago. Yes, Abby, as someone commented here those hills were not all moss. Neither is rolling down a hill such as the ones we envision easy. You have always been the Queen of fabulous visuals that inspire.
It's been a long time.. I am sorry for what you have been through. Life can be so cruel. I hope you are writing and well. Would love to know what you are doing, how you are now.
Funny, today I too wrote about hills. My husband died 10 months ago and for me, grief is a hill always too far away. Lately I've been really forgetful and I guess they call it "grief brain." I can't climb anymore hills (as a young art teacher in Phoenix, I climbed what was then "Squaw Peak" every Sunday, as a sort of church) because my hips are too crappy. And I might forget, anyway. I want to be you when I grow up, in that resilient, wise-cracking brilliant way you see the world. You give me hope to keep writing, keep seeing, keep loving life. Linda Clare at The Deep End
Linda, I am so sorry. Ten monthis is forever and no time at all. I will look for your piece about hills, You will certainly keep writing, it keeps us more or less sane. Clarity, that's what we need so badly. Thank you for your kind words. Life is hard, but has its moments.
About time someone said this, and no one could say it better. The other day my son made a comment anout people in their 70s “aging out.” He was speaking to his parents, both 76. My husband made sure he won’t make this mistake again.
I keep meaning to buy that T shirt that pronounces: “It’s weird being the same age as old people”. As someone who is less than a year younger than the current incumbent (or do I mean ‘incumbrance’?) in the White House. I have no intention to stop climbing hills (real or metaphorical) any time soon. Beautiful words Abigail.
I think it's the hill of fertility, for women. Virility maybe, for men. We sure do like youth, as a culture. George Bernard Shaw said youth is wasted on the young. He wasn't wrong. Wish I could put today's brain into younger me.
Love this, Abigail. My long-time mantra is, "the view is worth the climb." Every hill or mountain and every effort to reach the summit is rewarded by stillness, only the sounds, smells, sights, and feelings of nature. Each hill is another chance to observe, lend a hand, and keep writing. The same goes for figurative hills, which look like doing the work to take on the hard thing, fueled by curiosity and awe.
"Over the hill" also means you have managed to *climb* the damn hill and reach the crest, with a spectacular view of what lies ahead and behind. I'm writing a book about walking up hills, and am constantly struck by the metaphors.
Nina, can't wait to read that book. The view of what lies ahead is not always heavenly, but you are choosing your hills wisely. I will learn something from you.
You were humble and gentle enough not to mention how, at each summit, we beat our breasts, howled our successful triumph of will over effort, and wove fine crowns of self approval to wear on the down slope.
Salty and wise. I'm visualizing flowers at your door right now. Imagine if all the hills we climbed over again and again were not only noticed and valued, but also paid for. Wow, we'd be so bloody rich, proud to wear our hiking boots.
So f***g true, Abigail! Not to mention as elders we have the ability to fly and see things from a higher perspective…none of that trudging up and down.
Oh how I love the word trudging! And yes, we don't waste our time anymore. Unless it feels good. Which wasting time sometimes does, I have to admit it.
Amen to this! I’ve climbed many a hill in my 65 years (including 115 miles of walking in two weeks on the Camino de Santiago when I was 64, keeping up with my 32-year-old daughter. So from now on, let’s say ‘Over the hill’ is the finest compliment there is 😀thanks Abigail!
YES!! good idea! Thank you.
There are also Tsunamis we have to survive. I'll be 80 next week. Grown children rescues and learning to forget those traumas as they grow older and rescue their own. Two grand children living and dying. That's one helluva hill I had to climb in order to remain sane. Sort of. "Over the Hill?" On the first application for Social Security for Medicare, after the instruction click to Submit, the message said, "Welcome to page for the aged." I needed to suck my thumb. That was 25 years ago. Yes, Abby, as someone commented here those hills were not all moss. Neither is rolling down a hill such as the ones we envision easy. You have always been the Queen of fabulous visuals that inspire.
Ina,
It's been a long time.. I am sorry for what you have been through. Life can be so cruel. I hope you are writing and well. Would love to know what you are doing, how you are now.
love abby
Abigail,
Funny, today I too wrote about hills. My husband died 10 months ago and for me, grief is a hill always too far away. Lately I've been really forgetful and I guess they call it "grief brain." I can't climb anymore hills (as a young art teacher in Phoenix, I climbed what was then "Squaw Peak" every Sunday, as a sort of church) because my hips are too crappy. And I might forget, anyway. I want to be you when I grow up, in that resilient, wise-cracking brilliant way you see the world. You give me hope to keep writing, keep seeing, keep loving life. Linda Clare at The Deep End
Linda, I am so sorry. Ten monthis is forever and no time at all. I will look for your piece about hills, You will certainly keep writing, it keeps us more or less sane. Clarity, that's what we need so badly. Thank you for your kind words. Life is hard, but has its moments.
Yeah! And with Viggo Mortensen inside the cake. 🥰
oh yes please, oh Viggo! in a nice big cake. How did you know?
From your OPRAH article about dating in your seventies ;)
oh my god. you remembered that? Thank you.
🤣🙏
Thank you!
Thank YOU.
Absolutely!
Thank you!
Yes. Let us eat cake with both hands and not wait for a formal celebration!
Yes, both hands. Good way to begin.
Oh yes please, Sue! I request carrot cake, the fancy kind.
About time someone said this, and no one could say it better. The other day my son made a comment anout people in their 70s “aging out.” He was speaking to his parents, both 76. My husband made sure he won’t make this mistake again.
Good on your husband. And good on you, Rona. And thank you.
I keep meaning to buy that T shirt that pronounces: “It’s weird being the same age as old people”. As someone who is less than a year younger than the current incumbent (or do I mean ‘incumbrance’?) in the White House. I have no intention to stop climbing hills (real or metaphorical) any time soon. Beautiful words Abigail.
What a funny t-shirt. And thank you.
ps Incumbrance is too kind a word for the monster king.
I think it's the hill of fertility, for women. Virility maybe, for men. We sure do like youth, as a culture. George Bernard Shaw said youth is wasted on the young. He wasn't wrong. Wish I could put today's brain into younger me.
But it wouldn't fit. Youth is also for making marvelous mistakes.
Love this, Abigail. My long-time mantra is, "the view is worth the climb." Every hill or mountain and every effort to reach the summit is rewarded by stillness, only the sounds, smells, sights, and feelings of nature. Each hill is another chance to observe, lend a hand, and keep writing. The same goes for figurative hills, which look like doing the work to take on the hard thing, fueled by curiosity and awe.
Doing the work for the hard thing, and god know there are hard things all the time. Yes! Thank you
"Over the hill" also means you have managed to *climb* the damn hill and reach the crest, with a spectacular view of what lies ahead and behind. I'm writing a book about walking up hills, and am constantly struck by the metaphors.
Nina, can't wait to read that book. The view of what lies ahead is not always heavenly, but you are choosing your hills wisely. I will learn something from you.
You were humble and gentle enough not to mention how, at each summit, we beat our breasts, howled our successful triumph of will over effort, and wove fine crowns of self approval to wear on the down slope.
I don't know how to weave but yeah, a hell of a lot of relief for the clarity writing gives us.
Cue Oscar Hammerstein's lyrics, "Climb every mountain, Ford every stream, Follow every rainbow
'Til you find your dream." Words to live by.
Good song. Sometimes the music dims the words, but great words, yes. But the dream is also in the doing.
Yes I agree. And thank you for being you!
Hi Abby,
Salty and wise. I'm visualizing flowers at your door right now. Imagine if all the hills we climbed over again and again were not only noticed and valued, but also paid for. Wow, we'd be so bloody rich, proud to wear our hiking boots.
We would be so satisfied, although getting old is its own satisfaction. Thank you, Prajna
You know from hills, my dear. You are someone to learn from.
So f***g true, Abigail! Not to mention as elders we have the ability to fly and see things from a higher perspective…none of that trudging up and down.
Oh how I love the word trudging! And yes, we don't waste our time anymore. Unless it feels good. Which wasting time sometimes does, I have to admit it.