It was a sunny afternoon in Atlanta, Ga in 1993 when, at a production meeting, I informed my editor at Peachtree Publishers that I was retiring, and that my husband and I were moving to Tucson, AZ. The staff sat in shock, and no one said anything until the editor said, “Does that mean you won’t be writing any more books for us?” I said, “That’s what it means.  I am retiring.” Of course the company had many more authors in their stable, but my book, OH, LORD I SOUND JUST LIKE MAMA, written with Lynne  Alpern, had sold a quarter-of-a-million copies, and this, together with some of our other books, was their mother lode. What I didn’t tell them was that at a previous meeting (discussing our new book, I REMEMBER WHEN—) someone had said, “This product will really sell!”  I don’t write products!

When my husband Warren retired his colleagues gave him a fancy clock. Why in the world would a person need a clock when everyday is Saturday?  When the actress, Helen Hayes retired she said, “Always leave them wanting more.” I am convinced that she was right! There is a difference between quitting and moving on.

 The newspapers are now running schandenfreude  stories about 88-year-old Senator Dianne Feinstein, who after a long illustrious career in the U.S. Senate, is now suffering from diminished memory, and she refuses to leave gracefully. It’s way better to quit when people laugh with you rather than at you.

We moved to Tucson in December, 1994 and my husband died in July, 1998. My brain didn’t work for a year, but then I started over as a playwright, and eventually directors began to recognize and produce my plays. So, when I was in my 70’s, audiences  around the country enjoyed my work until I retired once again.

Now, I am looking forward to my 86th birthday. Yes! looking forward. There’s no going back.
I have little patience with people who say, “I don’t want to celebrate my birthday. I’m too old!”
So how do I respond to that? I say,  “Well, my friend, I like knowing you, and am happy that your parents had sex!” The visual alone will stop all that complaining.

Occasionally, someone who reads my weekly computer story (or whatever you want to call it) will say, “You have written over 500 over these stories, you should submit them to a publisher,”and I will reply, “I don’t have the fire in the belly anymore.”

I know my limitations. There are things I have chosen not to do anymore. For instance, I don’t drive at night, and when I do drive in the daytime I don’t go too far because I don’t have to. A woman in my Senior Residence didn’t know when to quit driving until she tried to drive her car up a traffic pole. She didn’t stop until the light turned red.

I have discovered that where I live everyone has a fascinating story, although no one has led a charmed life. People here have been creators as well as survivors, and they are to be admired and enjoyed. “Yes!”  I’m having lots of fun getting to know them, and the folks who live here are making the most of everyday. Birthdays are good for you. The more you have the longer you live. Everyone wants to live a long and happy life, however too many people don’t want to get old doing it.

Robert Benchley said it well, “Except for an occasional heart attack I feel as good as I ever did.”

Esther Blumenfeld