Aging is a gift—and one that SourcePoint’s executive director embraces.
Each month, SourcePoint delivers birthday treats to those in-home care clients celebrating a milestone birthday. In celebration of her own 60th birthday later this month, Fara Waugh volunteered to make the June deliveries.
For many, birthdays are an opportunity to reflect on the past year and consider what might be possible the next. As we get older, we may find those reflections skewing negative, influenced by everyday ageism.
Ageism is built into our culture. We see ageist messages in the birthday cards we buy, the media we consume, and the jokes we tell. Often, we don’t pause to acknowledge the negativity in those messages. Fara thinks it’s better to emphasize the positive:
Considering the challenges and losses we’ve encountered over the past 15 months, I am more appreciative of the blessing each birthday represents. In the past, I’ve been reluctant to share my age; I now realize how hiding my age only contributes to ageism. Today, I embrace each year as both an achievement and a gift—affording me the time to serve our community at SourcePoint and the time to spend with family and friends. I am proud to say I am 60 years old, and I love what I do!
Happy birthday to everyone celebrating a milestone this year—embrace it!