Everything I write comes from experience. In 1999 John Wiley and Sons published my book about aging. My research included articles from the Medline database, medical newsletters, books on the topic, and a random survey of members of my local senior center.

The survey was called "How Do You Feel About Aging?" There were five questions on the form: 1. What are some good things about aging? 2. What are some bad things about aging? 3. What activities do you enjoy? 4. Occupation? 5. Age? (an optional question).

Only 40 people comleted the form. "Why aren't more members filling out the survey?" I asked a secretary.

"They don't want to think about aging," she replied, "and they sure don't like to fill out forms!" Though I wished for more responses, I was grateful for the ones I received, and used them in my book. To get more responses I surveyed members of a club.

One member's response was especially touching. Not long after her husband died she decided, primarily for safety reasons, to move out of her home and into a retirement community. The sorrow of her husband's death didn't diminish her enthusiasm for life. She participated in activities, remained active in her church, and was a community volunteer. On the survey form she wrote about the wonder of life and cherishing each day.

Another club member refused to complete the survey. "I can't think of anything good about aging," she explained.

"Surely you can think of something," I replied.

"Nothing," she answered.

"Not one thing?" I asked hopefully.

"Nothing," she said firmly.

When I was writing the aging book my mother lived in a local assisted living community. She had probable Alzheimer's disease and I saw her often. One day, as I was entering the building, I spotted the director. We talked for a few minutes and then I asked her question. "Can you tell me," I began cautiously, "why so many residents seem to be angry?"

"They're angry because they're old," she relied.

"Oh," I replied, at a loss for words. Since we had that conversation I've thought of the director's reply many times. I'm eight years older now, wear glasses, and two hearing aids. Though I'm a big "creaky" when I get up in the morning, within an hour I'm running at top speed. And as the saying goes, I'm determined to "have a good day."

I have twin grandchildren, one boy and one girl, and they are in Middle School. Early on, my grandchildren decided to call me "Grandma," not "Nana," or "Nona," or anything cutesy. Becoming a grandma has made me a better person. I'm a more reflective person as well, and focus on the positives of aging.

Because of my age:

1. Each day I awaken with gratefulness and joy

2. I have new sense of purpose

3. Family continues to be the most important thing in my life

4. I know who I am and what I do

5. I understand my talents and shortcomings

6. Self-care is part of every day

7. Silly excuses and falsehoods don't work with me

8. I can laugh - really laugh - at myself

9. Laughter is a vital part of every day

10. It's easy to ignore speeders who zig-zag and pass me because we will get to the red light at the same time

11. My calendar is filled with volunteer projects

12. I'm willing to take credit for what I do

13. When asked, I give advice to my grown children

14. Admitting mistakes is easier and I move on quickly

15. Tears come to my eyes when a cardinal lands on a snowy branch

16. I try to do the right thing

17. The wonder and mystery of the heavens fill me with awe

18. I understand the miracle of life

No matter how old you are, I hope you will look for the positives of aging. File them away in your mind and think of them from time to time. For the day may come when a child looks at you, hugs you, and calls you grandma or grandpa. What a blessing.

Copyright 2005 by Harriet Hodgson. To learn more about her work go to http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years. She is a member of the Association of Healh Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. A prolific writer, she is the author of 25 published books and hundreds of print and electronic articles.

Hodgson has written about parenting, recycling, sexual harassment, aging, Alzheimer's disease, caregiving, communication, nutrition, physical activity, weight management, anticipatory grief, and many other topics.

She started out as a teacher and earned a B.S. with honors from Wheelock College in Boston, MA. She went on to earn an M.A. in Art Education from the University of Minnesota and did additional graduate work. After spending a dozen years in the classroom Hodgson changed careers and turned to writing.

All of her writing comes from life experience. Hodgson has talked about her experienes on some 150 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, Minnesota Public Radio, WCCO Radio and "Coping With Caregiving," an Internet-only radio program broadcast worldwide. In addition, she has appeared on dozens of television programs/stations including CNN.

Hodgson is a Past President of the Wing of the Aerospace Medical Association. A past president of the Minnesota Medical Association Alliance (MMAA), she represented MMAA members on the Minnesota Medical Association Health Care Reform Task Force. She is an active community volunteer and all of her volunteer efforts focus on health.

Hodgson is cited in "Something About the Author," "Who's Who of American Women," "Who's Who in America," "Who's Who in the World," "The Dictionary of International Biography," and "Contemporary Authors," published by Gale Research.

Hodgson lives in Rochester, Minnesota with her husband, C. John Hodgson. She enjoys learning, travel, antiques, singing, and spending time with her twin grandchildren.