Say Hello! We want to meet all 50 year old members!
Hi everyone,
I haven't been in here for awhile but I did want to share what I have been doing. For the last few weeks I was able to see my grandchildren, which are the life blood of grandparents. Two of my grandson's are autistic, but both in different ways and that has never been a deterrent to having a wonderful time with them. All the g'kids are great but these two have a special place in my heart. One is like a little scientist, examining everything and using $10 dollar words that I have to look up online to know what he is talking about. The other doesn't talk, but his smile can melt your heart. He is also the athletic one, who despite not talking can play baseball, swim, dance and be real sweet. It warms my heart to see the siblings and cousins just accept these children as they are and better than adults or therapists, the others seem to instinctively know what they need and instinctively intercede on their behalf.
Because I, myself, am somewhat disabled, I have learned to enjoy all that I have and to never dwell on what I do not. Going places with all of them ages 2-13, I am able to once again see the newness in everything and feel the excitement when I look at the world through their eyes.
I truly believe the secret to staying young is to have a wonderful sense of humor and hang out with the little ones.
What keeps all of you feeling young and excited about life?
Nifty, nifty!
I'm over fifty! 
I wanted to peek in here and meet some of the rest of you. What I love about being over 39, is the life experience and wisdom I have. I'm more comfortable with being who I am instead of trying to be like everyone else. But I do miss my 20-something body...you know, the one without cranky knees, stiffer joints, and so forth. LOL!
I'm glad to be here and hope to make some connections.
@BridgetAileen - totally understand.... bit of that "youth is wasted on the young" thing... what I would do with my 20 year old knees and joints!
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn, I watch people get down on the floor and get back up, and it makes me think of all the times I'd sit on the floor to read with my students, play with my nephews (when they were little...they're grown now), play with my dogs, and so many more things. I'd love to do some yoga, but not so sure how that would work out. LOL! I'd love to get on the floor with my great-nephew (7 months old). Cranky knees...not so fun. 
@BridgetAileen - i think there are always assisted ways to do little bits of yoga at least. don't give up now! :D
@BridgetAileen
I agree, the knees are stiffer!!!
Hi there everybody
my name is martyand I am 60
i just wanted to say hi and be counted among the ranks
I a child of a Holocaust Survivor or Seceond Generation as we call it. The emotional damage cause by the trauma of the Holocaust has wounded my Mother Emotionally and thus also me. I have tried to deal with the pain by writing poetry about the the 2 gen experience and by using poetry to create some sort of narrative that I can connect to.
Some of my poetry is on my profile site
@2genpoet, it's nice to meet you. I've actually been thinking quite a bit about the Holocaust the survivors the last couple of months. At Christmas, my brother-in-law was sharing about the trip he and his brother took to Europe a few years ago where they visited many places important in WWII. They visited some of the camps, and his thoughts and feelings about the experience has had me thinking ever since. It's so hard to imagine how things like the Holocaust can happen. How can people treat each other in such ways is absolutely beyond my comprehension. My heart goes out to you, your brave mom, and your family. Hugs!
@BridgetAileen
thanks
we can chat sometime about this
@2genpoet, that would be great. :)
@2genpoet
Hi Marty,
Welcome, glad you are here. Have you or members of your family been able to visit the Holocaust Museum in D.C. I have been there and I can tell you, if you are not crying and emotionally moved by the time you leave, you simply are not a human being. I studied the Holocaust in school back in the 1980's and the books by Elie Wiesel, Corrie ten Boon as well as the diary of Anne Frank made a permanent mark on my soul as a young teenager. I am truly sorry that your family is still being affected by the trauma that happened so many decades ago. Of course, how could it not?
It is good that you have found expression through poetry and I am sure that all of us here will be thrilled to read some of it when you are willing and ready to share.
Welcome!!
@2genpoet
I write poetry, too. I will make sure to visit your profile. Nice to meet you!
@2genpoet
Hello. Don't check in here too much lately but def wanted respond to your post. I had the unique pleasure of vacationing in Munich two years ago (my 1st time out of the US) and I wrestled with the decision to visit Dachau. I had survivors in my family as well. I did decide to visit Dachau. Such a sobering experience and to think it wasn't even that far back in time in the grand scheme of things. I look forward to checking out some of your poetry.
@helpfulVase1202 - I also visited Dachau the time I was in Munich and found the experience sobering and worthwhile for sure, as a reminder of what can happen when we don't take good care of each other.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn @helpfulVase1202
I skipped Dachau when I went to Munich. I felt I could learn more from a local history walking tour. The tour lead through the city centre of Munich and discussed the history of buildings and pathways. It discussed how local Germans experienced WWII on a daily basis. It's easy to put blame on Germans for WWII until you see that they were often given the same choice as the victims. Participate in mass killings or die. There was a pathway we walked down in Munich that used to have a plaque in Hitlers honour. If the Germans walked past without soluting, they would be sent to camps. Germans started walking another way to work to avoid the plaque. The soldiers caught on and started shooting anyone that used that walkway.
I love learning history. I love even more, learning history from every side.
@Yougotthisdontfret
Yes the city walking tours were so informative but i was so sore by the time I got home!
I think you may be referring to Dodgers Alley? Is that where they painted gold over the bricks to mark the pathway?
@helpfulVase1202 yes, exactly!
I grew up Jewish so I've been told since a small child that Germans are evil. The more I learn, the more I find that there were more victims than victors in WWII (as I feel about all wars). Germans had it pretty bad during WWII. It was comply or die for them. I wish the whole world had the chance to learn history from an opposing view point so they can see that history has many sides.
Hello, @2genpoet. I'm definitely going to take a look at your poetry. I've always been interested in the Holocaust, not because I have any direct connection to it myself, but just because it is very important recent history that needs to never be repeated. I have Elie Wiesel's Night on my audio book list right now.
@2genpoet
I am new to 7 cups and still trying everything out and by sheer coincidence I came upon your posting from last year. I grew up in Germany (I was born in 1962) with parents who were raised in the "Hitlerjugend" and the Nazi regime. My only excuse and explanation is that they were young and indoctrinated and only believed what they wanted to hear and see. I only learned from all the horrible things that happened during the "Third Reich" through my education in school, documentaries, books and so on. I tried to talk to my parents several times about it, but I always hit a brick wall, I guess they were just too ashamed and didn't want to admit any guilt. I don't want to diminish what you and especially your family went through, but l see my parents as victims too, they couldn't help but believe in those ideologies, as faulty and horrendous they have been, they were too young. Their families had experienced difficult economic times after the First World War, and when the Nazis and Hitler came along with all their promises for "being great again" they jumped on the gravy train. And it worked at first for them. They told me about a grandfather who after years of struggling finally found a job as a painter and could feed his 10 children, about an economy booming again. But this is just a feeble attempt to find an explanation. The misery my parents went through is nothing compared your parents had to endure! There is no excuse for what the Nazis did! We all need to be aware of what happened and to learn from it and be watchful so it will never happen again! As a German I am carrying this collective guilt. I feel tremendous shame. I apologize for my parents' wrong doing.
@Purplesky17
thank you for your post
I think there are several levels of complicity in what Hitler did and I have no problem understanding and forgiving this level of complicity.
It is important to learn the lessons of these atrocities especially in dehumanzing the vitim which makes it easier to perpatrate crimes against them
@2genpoet
Lovely to meet you - welcome aboard !!! 
Well, I thought I posted here but, it must not have gone through. Hi! I'm in my late fifties. My husband of thirty-eight years passed away two years ago. I am learning to create a new life for myself...reconnecting with the church, honing my listening skills and getting involved with life. I am thrilled this section of the site exisits! Please feel free to chat with me! Thanks and take care.
@neonStrawberries879....Hi! Having recently retired, I'm creating a new life, as well. It's been nice to have more time. It's been very nice to not have to worry about scheduling anything that I want or need to do around work. Such a little thing, but it's soooo very nice.
@BridgetAileen
Hi!
It is lovely to meet you. You will have to keep me informed on what you have chosen to do with your new found time!
@neonStrawberries879 I've been doing more crafing and reading so far. I just took a short fiber arts class (3 two hour classes) where we learned to do a little needle felting, felted some soap, and made a small felt "book" to hold needles. I have just started to learn to draw mandalas. I've been coloring in adult coloring books. I've read mostly mysteries and paranormal romace with a smattering of a few other things. I slept an awful lot when I first retired. I guess I was tired and retired. hehehe
How are things going with you?
@BridgetAileen
I am starting to delve into 'mindfulness' as a way to combat anxiety. I have also discovered the world of exercise classes. There are a lot of great people there. I was a lapsed Catholic, but with the admiration I have for Pope Francis, I have rediscovered the church. I have a puppy that is keeping me busy, too.
I have the materials to learn to felt, but I think I need to get involved with a class or group to get me started! It looks like such fun!
@neonStrawberries879
Mindfulness is wonderful! Back when I was in high school (so it's been more than a year or two *wink*) I read a book by Brother Lawrence called The Practice of the Presence of God. Much of what he did was mindfulness. It's a very short little book, but definitely left an impression on me since I remember it to this day. Here's a YouTube video, or you can read it here.
Although I'm not Catholic, I also admire Pope Francis. By all appearances, he seems to carry out his office with exceptional compassion and intelligence. It's wonderful that he has been an inspiration for you to reconnect with your faith.
Well, I've only done that wee bit of felting, but it was really enjoyable. Look around for that class or see if YouTube has any tutorials. I think you'll enjoy it.
Hugs!
@BridgetAileen
Thank you!
You are so kind and I will definitely check out those links! Hugs back!
Hi,hope each of you...have a great day with blessing
@shelock - hello and belated welcome!
Hi there I'm @baZzchik54 as the last two digits imply lol tho to be truthful it is now 55😉 I Love to Fish hence the baZ, reading, photography so Howdee‼️
@baZzchik54
Hi it is nice to meet you.
@helpfulVase1202
Hi @Vase‼️ Nice to meet you! I have a question for you...😉. Is that Vase pronounced Vase or Vase? Lol Sorry i couldnt resist a touch of humor there. Be Well, baZ😎🍉
@baZzchik54
Ha thanks I really really needed a chuckle today and to answer your question I guess it would depend on whether you say tomato or tomahto.
Hello, i added last week not noticing ppl dont really come here often. I really need a group. Im not pleading but id love to get this 50yr old groan into caring N love xo
i domt to if we introduce or what... Im 55 semi-retired and have two wonderful grandsons. Im a through and through ladyfisher hence the name .....baZ😎🍉
Hello, I am new to the site and am just a young guy of 51, although I act like I am 19. I live up in northern california along the coast in humboldt county. a very beautiful place.
I just wanted to reach out and introduce myself, as it would be great to talk to people closer to my own age.
Thanks for reading!
@norcal good to meet you! I'm close to your age and have been to that coast. it is amazingly lovely.
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
It was until a beautiful flower left
@norcal - i know it must be hard to appreciate anythnig right now :'(
@KrinkTheMellowUnicorn
true
Hi @NorCal
Hey All.... Happy Humidity 😕
Just a shout out to all my over fifty peeps🐣 that are trying to stay cool🌬🌬❄️out there?! Is that even Possible?!
Have a Great Day‼️‼️ And stay Hydrated‼️‼️‼️‼️🏊🏼🚣🏻 Love baZ😎🍉
Hello 😞
Just dropping in to see who else is still hanging out here. Haven't checked in a while...
@helpfulVase1202 *waves hello*
