26 Comments
User's avatar
Wallace Merriman's avatar

Jan, your honest humor is refreshing and relatable. The way you describe the shifting tides of self-acceptance, one minute dancing confidently to “This Is Me,” the next fighting off the urge to order every turtleneck on Amazon, perfectly captures the ups and downs so many of us feel.

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Wallace. It kinda helps knowing we're all in the same boat, doesn't it? ~Jan

Wallace Merriman's avatar

You're absolutely right, Jan ;-)

Melissa Summit's avatar

I don't know if I'm any more comfortable with my body, but I am more accepting of it. And more appreciative of what it does for me! Our talks were better than any workout anyway! :-D

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

I think maybe thanking our bodies for what they do for us instead of being disappointed in them may be the key. But have you ever seen anyone less coordinated than me? Ha Ha! Thanks for always making Silver Sneakers fun - even though I've spent most of my time chasing down the loose balls. xoxo

Melissa Summit's avatar

Lol...short answer, yes I have! 🤣🤣😉

Juli Warner's avatar

Love your sense of humor, Jan. I am embracing my age. It isn’t easy. My song is Thank God I’m Old from the musical Barnum

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

I'm going right now to look that song up. I find myself singing "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma more and more. I'm hoping I accept this decade with gusto. xoxo

Marion Chapman's avatar

Your body is only your vehicle for the short time we have on earth. It is what you do with it that counts. And your age even with the wrinkles is only a number. Believe me at 90 I know. ❤️

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Marion ~~~~I really appreciate hearing your point of view. I will remember what you wrote. xoxo

Sue N's avatar

You're mind is intact and sense of humor is spot on thats a celebration

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Well, my hubby questions that sometimes, but I’ll definitely accept the compliment. 😂 Xoxo

Sheila Peterson's avatar

You look absolutely beautiful and I love your story.

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

You are definitely too kind, Sheila!!! Thanks for always being so supportive. I love your poetry on Tuesday Creations. I wish I had that gift. {{Hug}}

Danny Payne's avatar

Nicely written Jan. At 79 I work at trying to find my abs but I realize that it won’t happen at my age so I accept what it is. Your post reminded me of an amazing memory of our vacation in Sanibel in 2015 after my retirement. We stayed at Beachview cottages and just loved it. Unfortunately the cottages were destroyed in the recent storm. We just talked about going back. Thanks for writing such a wonderful post.

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Hi Danny ~ we were surprised and saddened on our recent trip to Sanibel. There's still a lot of beauty on the island (and a lot of traffic.) Ha! We loved staying at The Seaside Inn for years, but it was completely destroyed in the storm too. This time we stayed at The Parrot's Nest. It was small and quaint, but in a perfect location on Periwinkle down by the Lighthouse. The Colony, a group of condos with a short walk to beach, is reopened. You should go if you can. A lot available, but expensive. Dinner at Cheeburger, Cheeburger was $65 for the two of us. But time on the island is definitely worth it; it rejuvenates the soul. Love sharing Sanibel memories with you. Thanks for commenting. xoxo

Danny Payne's avatar

Jan thanks for your response. My wife and I have talking about a trip there. I’ll let you know if we go and how it went if we go. Keep up your wonderful posts on Substack.

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

I’d love that.

Nita Crawford's avatar

lol, oh my gosh, this made me laugh and we all need more laughter. You do have amazing legs. I’m still trying to get mine to look like yours. 😊I am forever showing my husband a picture of you saying how you do but age. By the way, Stoney doesn’t seem to age either. Whatever you are doing, keep it up.

Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Problem is I can hardly bend over to see them. 😂 We need to do The Steer Barn again. Remember Rob and I joining you gals on Elvis night? 🎶 Love you! Looks as if you have a great hubby too. {{Hugs}}

Nita Crawford's avatar

Yes we do need to all go back to the Steer Barn. It was so much fun that night. I do have a great hubby. We enjoy traveling and retirement is so much fun. Love you too🤗

India Freitas's avatar

Hi Jen, actually no... Today I feel disconnected from my body... It's not the same as before and it doesn't satisfy me when I need it... And you, are you okay with your body?

Janice Walton's avatar

I like its looks, but it seems to be losing ground on its capabilities to run marathons. Oh well!

Linda Esterline's avatar

Loved this post! Thanks for bringing humor to a not so funny situation we are all ‘aspiring’ to. Some way faster than others!

Karen Howells's avatar

Your daughter is right ... you do have nice legs! Enjoy and related to your story. My biggest dissatisfaction has always been as bearer of the famous family Betts But. And my biggest challenge in life has been how much pain my body has caused me since age 12. Great writing as always!

Karen Howells's avatar

... with apologies for my typos. Sure wish Substack allowed comment edits!