A New Lease on Life

We never tire of talking or hearing about the endless opportunities and possibilities that come with aging. As our editor-in-chief Suzanne Boyd put it in her (September 2013) Editor’s Letter, “Reinvention, instead of the other R word associated with aging, is a buzzword at Zoomer.” Here, we share an inspiring letter from one of our readers.

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Older Boys and Girls Together, Chapter 35, by Moses Znaimer

I enjoyed reading the above recent article. As I progressed through the story, I started seeing myself as I am today and felt I should write something about my experience as it might enlighten other men (and women) to the fact that life can be happy and worthwhile in our “Golden Years.”

I am a 73-year-old Irishman and have lived in Canada for 46 years. I am a widower of nine years, having been married to a wonderful and loving lady for 40 years. Her untimely death devastated myself and my two children, now in their early 40s.

Having recently retired, I was at a loss with what to do with myself, but my past employer, a large telecommunications company, invited me back to work to help take my mind off the grief for a few months. These “few months” turned into five years until I finally retired at 71 years.

This back-to-work experience was fantastic therapy. Working with my old colleagues gave me no time to sit and vegetate. Gradually, my life got some meaning.

I thank God that I am fit, in good health and with all my faculties.

At the young age of 73, prompted by my two children, I decided it was time to look for romance again. As it was 50-plus years since I had first attempted “courting a woman,” I scratched my head and asked my children for advice. They told me to get onto a senior dating site and see what is available. I had photos taken, wrote an honest profile of myself and “threw my hat into the ring.”

After a short time on the site, I received many responses from a wide cross-section of ladies. Different ages, different locations and availability (mostly divorced). After careful deliberation, I responded to a beautiful Asian lady located in a distant city.

This lady, Tokiko Lepik (below), was exactly my own age, had been widowed also for nine years after a happy 42-year marriage, so initially we had something in common.

After a little “negotiation,” we went on our first date, after which I have never looked back. It seems that after all there is compatibility between Irish and Japanese!

It is now five months since we first met, and we are building a happy, loving and meaningful relationship, which we hope will turn into something permanent. I feel as if I have been given a new lease on life, back into my more youthful years.

The main reason for sharing my happy experience is let my mature neighbours know that life goes on, no matter what age you may be and what drawbacks have been suffered, and this life can be as happy and meaningful as you wish to make it.

— Brendan Morris, Burlington, Ont.

 

Are you looking for a new romantic interest in your life? Check out ZoomerSingles.com, the online dating site for grown-ups.