When Gale and I first spoke about booking her female glamour photos, she shared her story. She is a 75-year-old widow with three beautiful daughters. She had never done anything like this before and wanted to push herself outside her comfort zone. Gale wanted to celebrate being “glasses free” for the first time in years!
What surprises you about being your age now?
Gale did the photoshoot for herself and as a surprise for her friends and family. She shared her insights on aging and how medical issues have made her feel like the “bionic woman.” Over the past months, she received new eyesight through cataract surgery, had her teeth fixed, and is about to undergo her second hip replacement. She looks forward to a more enjoyable retirement with less pain.
If you will describe to me an important turning point in your life, where everything was different after than it was before,.
Gale also opened up about a significant turning point in her life—the death of her husband. She had to learn to live independently for the first time. With the help of her children, she learned to pay bills online and manage household chores. Despite the challenges, she found joy in her family’s support and new activities like painting and traveling.
Each decade brings wisdom…what’s something valuable you learned between 30-40? 40-50? 50-60?
Gale shared her valuable life lessons from each decade. In her 30s and 40s, she learned that being a parent made her a better teacher. Her 40s and 50s brought more freedom, as her children grew independent. She retired at 60 and embraced new hobbies and travel, including a memorable trip to Italy.
Now in her 70s, Gale considers herself a “lucky old broad” with great kids and friends. Her advice to her 20-something self is to travel while you can. Waiting until retirement to travel might not always be possible, as health and other factors can limit opportunities.
What is the one piece of advice would you give your 20-something self?
Travel while you can. Waiting till retirement to travel may not be in the cards! Using a cane means no big hiking, biking, or climbing holidays. COVID didn’t help with travel plans either.
