AARP Member
Offline 
Background
Name: Judy
Birthday: August 7
Gender: Female
Ethnicity:
African American
Religion:
Spiritual
Location:
MIAMI, Florida
United States
MIAMI, Florida
United States
School:
Xavier, New Orleans
University of Miami
Xavier, New Orleans
University of Miami
Hometown(s):
Miami, FL
New Orleans
Liberia, West Africa
Miami, FL
New Orleans
Liberia, West Africa
Quote:
The only way to go is up!
The only way to go is up!
Entering 2010AARP: First Encounter
A few days ago I found a snapshot of myself at my 50th birthday party. The card my coworkers all signed reminded me that I was older than county government, a downtown park, the county transit system, and the board of commissioners. Of course, they meant it all in fun and with great affection.
Actually, I felt really good about reaching the half century mark. Each day I rose eager to pursue a career that paid me well. Life had blessed me with relatively good health and the patience to make my way through the stop-and-go-slow expressway traffic. Even at 50, retirement seemed so very far in the future, so far that it rarely intruded into my outer awareness.
Life, however, zaps our, at times, oblivious outer consciousness with a lightening flash of reality. My bolt of lightening happened to arrive in my mailbox as a white envelope with red lettering. The words on the envelope encouraged me to join - what else? - the American Association of Retired Persons. RETIRED!!?? I still WORKED, for heaven’s sake - five days a week, some days more than eight hours! How on earth did I get on their mailing list? I had no problem with being 50, but how dare they assume I had retired or could even afford to? The nerve. Then, I unceremoniously tossed the unopened envelope and its unread contents into file 13. Take that, AARP.
You did do the same thing with your first AARP envelope encounter, right? No? Well, you are a saint. It took about three years of AARP persistence before I testily ripped open that white envelope and perused its contents. Then I grudgingly sent a check for a one-year subscription ONLY just to see what those people were all about, so sure I’d cancel before the year passed.
A few weeks later, I received a really informative tabloid-style newsletter and then the AARP magazine. I discovered a wealth of information I could use even as a 50-something still in the workforce - information on staying healthy, traveling, diet and exercise, managing my finances, and so much more. What had I missed in those years of uninformed resistance?
Well, with age came wisdom. Needless to say, I’m now an unapologetic AARP convert, member too, and, like you, enjoying every minute on this wonderful website for us active seniors. I’ve encouraged my nieces and nephews to join as soon as they receive an invite, sharing with them memories of my trip to Washington, DC in 2008. My sister and I regularly attend monthly chapter meetings, and, yes, I am now one of those happily “retired persons.”
Thanks, AARP, for keeping stubborn ones like me on your mailing list. See you in Vegas!
Deborah357 says:
You know, I was surprised that my husband Dave received a notice before I did, since I'm 7 months older than he! But yes, we threw away the first few flyers until I finally caved in last November at age 51.
And yes, I do enjoy the website, not sure how good I've been at connecting with people so far!
Posted: September 2, 2009 4:17PM EDT
Karean says:
Joyfuljai62,
You are fantastic.
Have fun in Vegas!
Next year for me...I'll join you. K
Posted: August 31, 2009 7:30PM EDT
journal Details
Added: Aug 31, 2009
Views: 196
Comments: 2
Bookmarks: 0
Views: 196
Comments: 2
Bookmarks: 0
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