POWER  

8/12/2015

What power does an old lady have? While I can swim

hard, and read up a storm and even write a good line…

these gifts are nothing compared to what the good poet

Keats called negative capability.

My power these days is manifested in the natural

vulnerability of 84 years: folks step in to help me when I

show my need; they laugh with me at my foibles and

weaknesses; they eat my over-roasted vegetables with

gracious thanks; they pick me up from the deck when I

fall and set me gently into my recliner; they tease me

chuckling at my able forgettery – What was the fellow’s

name?; they call me “ How are you? “ just to be sure I

am doing well. My sweet, smart priest comes for coffee

– what a joy that is!

Here’s an example of the power of aging vulnerability:

I was scheduled last month to do a Skype conference

call for a graduate student who was completing her

doctoral work. I had prepared hard, and sent an email to

my colleagues on the committee with my comments on

Nancy’s thesis. Then, Skype announced that it was not

working! So I spent the time of the conference call

listening to the others speak on Nancy’s phone! I was

silenced. My friends who heard of the event celebrated Nancy’s

major achievement: “You silenced Jane!” Hmmm! 
That was my friends laughing! Now that’s power!

My mantra these days is “Jane rocks!” Young Zachary

reminded me that that phrase has two meanings: I

mean only one: what my recliner does naturally.

Rocking and reading, watching films, writing, chatting

with friends – that’s power!

I often say: “You’ve got to walk slow to keep up with

me!” And I swim fast and hard every morning. I am

deeply contented sitting and rocking by my fire, or on

my back porch!

Vulnerability and contentment – that’s power at 84!