This column is a bit more personal than others. No, there are no drastic conditions to report, and I am not giving up the column, just making a little adjustment.
Here’s some history for context.
It all began in October 2001 when I received a phone call from Jean Adelsman, the former managing editor of the Daily Breeze. She asked if I would like to write a column on seniors since the current columnist was retiring.
My background was not in journalism, although I had done lots of other kinds of writing. That included books, chapters, reports, grants, newsletters, expert witness reports, testimony and more, but never a newspaper column.
I said yes to the invitation.
With that, Adelsman asked for a meeting at which time I should bring my best writing example for an age-related column in 600 words and identify 12 topics about aging that the Breeze should address in the coming year. My late husband, I should add, was a journalist for a good part of his career, so I asked for his edits and then precisely counted my 600 words.
At the meeting, I sat there as Adelsman and the Features Editor Leo Smith read my 600-word piece. I tried to stay calm, wondering if my column would pass. Fortunately, the meeting went well, they liked the column and my suggestions for topics. I was hired as a weekly columnist.
The conversation turned to the name of the column. It had run for many years as “Seniors.” I indicated that I qualified chronologically as a senior, but would prefer a title that was more aspirational, such as “Successful Aging.” That became the new name.
Writing the column has had a positive effect on me in a number of ways. It requires me to stay current on research, policies and practices, which keeps me continuously engaged in my field, which I love and with a specific purpose. Second, I continue to learn what’s happening on the ground when readers send me questions about their concerns. I have a sense of the age-related problems and opportunities many of our readers are facing. Perhaps more importantly, I have an opportunity to reach many readers every week.
My core is as an educator. I view the column as an exceptional opportunity for public education about aging and longevity. My professional background includes the theme of education in various formats. I have taught for many years at the USC Davis Gerontology Center, where I made my career. In addition to teaching, I’ve had the opportunity to deliver keynote addresses, conduct seminars and workshops, develop curriculum and more. This opportunity seemed to fit.
Perhaps the biggest attraction was the opportunity to make a difference. I should add that my early academic background was in clinical psychology, so that human connection has always been with me.
When readers write to me, I feel a personal connection to them because aging is universal; it’s everywhere, and we all are doing it. Believing and feeling that, I answer every email and letter. I feel I am part of a large community of readers who personally connect to the subject of longevity.
All of this gets to my decision. I realized that if you do something for 23 years, it becomes a habit, and habits are often hard to break. It’s just something you do.
I have been thinking about cutting back for the past year, but never seemed to be able to break the habit – that is, until my older daughter sat down with me at the kitchen table and said, “Mom, I don’t want you to be in the hospital at age 95 and in your last breath say, “Wait, I have a deadline and need to write a column.”
That helped me make a decision. I should add that all things being well, I will have an 85th birthday in August.
With the support of my editor, I will be writing the column every other week rather than weekly. That’s after 23 years and 1,165 weekly columns with weekly deadlines. In addition, I will be taking off the month of June and returning in July.
Thank you for reading my story and for your ongoing readership. I am grateful to Jean Adelsman for the opportunity to write the column, to the Southern California News Group for syndication and continuing it, to my outstanding editor Erik Pedersen, and most of all – to have the opportunity to make a difference.
So, see you in July.
Stay well, everyone, and you know the drill … be kind, always.
Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience. Contact Helen with your questions and comments at [email protected]. Visit Helen at HelenMdennis.com and follow her on facebook.com/SuccessfulAgingCommunity
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