She’s double-booked herself again! Tomorrow’s day trip was her idea, so she shouldn’t miss it, but what about Spanish class? She promised The Knockouts – her boxing partners – she wouldn’t skip a class, but water aerobics is at the same time. And now, there’s a scheduling conflict with her bible study and her writing classes. 

When you’re 91 years young with a busy schedule, it’s hard to fit everything into a day – especially when Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m.! My mom is a wonder and a force to be reckoned with. Moving into a new senior residence has given her even more pep and vitality, something we didn’t even think was possible. 

According to the International Council on Active Aging, the global population age 60 and older exceeded 1 billion for the first time in 2020, which relates to one in seven people, with higher average disposable income and more time to enjoy life than previous generations.

Seniors are trending as the fastest-growing demographic and sparking excitement as marketers rush to cater to this lucrative untapped market. There was a time when old age meant declining into inactivity. Now, these new customers don’t let age hold them back. Young at heart and in good physical health, their zest for life leads them to look for challenging experiences and embrace life to the fullest.

Mom recently returned from a family trip to Scotland and Ireland. Coming up are a San Antonio, Texas wedding and more family fun in New Mexico and Charleston. Now, she’s focused on next year’s travel plans. 

She’s been in contact with a younger friend, while also helping a new friend train to be free of her walker. My guess is she’s grooming them to be her next cruise partners. 

Every year on her birthday, she wears her silver birthday crown. She always says “If you’ve got it, flaunt it,” and now is definitely no time to stop! We joke that, with all the attention she receives, she should consider wearing it every Saturday night.

As the population around us matures, seniors bring with them a newfound determination to practice Carpe Diem – Latin for “seize the day.” They’ve demonstrated that being older is now synonymous with being wiser, that optimism can benefit you as a lifestyle choice, and that seizing the day can be accomplished with style, grace, and swagger. 

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The steward on the cruise surprised my mom with this birthday gift made of towels and rose petals. After hugs all around, she asked him not to remove it, and slept on one side of the bed the entire time!