Ladies today living full, active lives

Older women, and I’m certainly not designating a specific age here, should look at how they have evolved from ‘little old ladies’ to vibrant, active citizens of today.

We need to eliminate the stereotypes and realize that the later years of life can offer productive results to family members and acquaintances. Today’s women are living well into their 80s, and many are living full lives. Just think about it, they have raised their families, lived through the depression, experienced wars, and possibly lost a mate, they may just have something more to offer society.

Many women today are raising their grandchildren ‘ this after rearing their own children, volunteering in their community, caring for their spouses or family members, and many are still very effective in the workforce. My mother-in-law goes to the office every day, and plays a very important role in the business ventures. She is not alone, as offices and businesses worldwide are filled with intelligent, focused and dedicated older women.

They have become smarter about caring for their health. They participate in exercise classes, visit their doctors regularly, monitor their health, learn good eating habits, and try to have a positive outlook on life. Remaining positive has to be an asset, in that most women try to brush the negative aside and focus on happy things. The older they get, they learn not to sweat the small stuff, and not let it bother them as much. This has all come about because they are getting smarter as they age. I certainly believe in the old adage, ‘You’re not getting older, you’re getting better!’ I also believe we are getting smarter, because experience is a great educator.

While thinking of the assets offered by women over 40, it comes to mind what good old Andy Rooney had to say on the ‘CBS 60 Minutes’ program recently.

He said, ‘As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why.

‘A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, ‘What are you thinking’? She doesn’t care what you think.

‘If a woman over 40 doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it’s usually more interesting.

‘Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.

‘Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved.

‘They know what it’s like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40.

‘Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

‘Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

‘Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coifed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.’

Thank you Mr. Rooney, you hit the nail on the head!