Category: 2019 Fall – Growing Older

By Loraine Hutchins Editor’s Note: Last year, Loraine Hutchins turned 70. Her health is declining. She is having a hard time walking without her walkeror cane, and she doesn’t want to be alone. She has no kids or partner, so she opted to move to Friends House, a CCRC (continuing careretirement community, which includes independent…

By Joy Muhammad Letter from 15-year-old me to seven-year-old me: Dear Me, I know you feel a bit rubbish. A bit awkward in corduroy trousersand consequently having to pretend to be a little dad in thatawful playground game “Mummies and Daddies.” You wouldrather play She Ra, like on the telly, than the other alternative,which is…

Dear Reader, The theme of this issue is “Growing Older.”Folks were asked: “What are the challenges/opportunities of being an older bi+ person? Howhas aging transformed you—in mind, body, spirit,or sexuality? How have you stayed the same?What have been the most significant moments ortransitions in your life?” We present to you the writing of women &…

By Jane Barnes I got my first cellphone around the turn of the century: a silvershell phone, which I snapped shut with a flourish on the 14thstreet bus. At first, I hung it from a homemade lanyard (a redsatin ribbon, half-inch), but when I got used to it, I just carriedit in my pocket like…

Actual remarks made during my birthday celebration week. By Lani Ka’ahumanu “Oh, but you don’t look 56! I would have never guessed. Luckyyou.” As if looking 56 [whatever that means] is a negative. “You’re so young, no one would ever have to know.”As if people knowing I am 56 is not a positive. “Don’t worry…