I’m in Mérida, Mexico, co-facilitating a week-long retreat called “Gay Men and the Art of Aging Gracefully.” Walking to dinner the first night, by pure chance I walked past a nightclub I’d never noticed before on Calle 60, the newly spiffy avenue connecting the Plaza Grande with Paseo de Montejo in Merida.
Don, Little tears of joy in my eyes for what you are doing, thank you.
My body is being less graceful about this endeavor than I would like, primarily due to chronic fatigue. But by the grace of more than one god/goddess I find myself in meaningful emotional and erotic relationships with three lovely men. All know to me for between 13 and 42 years.
Part of my social/ political activism has always demanded that I be Out, sometimes blatantly so. And I speak openly of the importance of erotic connection in my life whenever possible, especially now that I have such an abundance of it.
I use the VA for healthcare and always share that, while I may be a bit crotchety, I do have three “lovers.” I get wonderful, sometimes flirty, responses, but more important is their consistent encouragement to keep it up. (no pun).
I could never imagine establishing meaningful relationships like this with someone new to me.
Do you know other folks finding this kind of joyful connection based on long term friendships?
Besides me, you mean? :-) I love your comments, Gary. I love getting a picture of where you are in your life, and it doesn't surprise me that you find an abundance of emotional and erotic connections. It didn't happen by accident. You're someone who has lived a life on purpose and cultivated your body, mind, and heart -- a fiesta to be shared!
Don, I did in fact mean “other than” your own delectable self😋.
In bragging about the bowl filled with intimate grace where I have cheerfully found myself, I skipped past a how I consciously created a foundational piece of my “aging gracefully story.” When I came out (age 35 pre-AIDS) I often felt surrounded by cynical, angry, even mean-spirited men. Especially so older men. I’m an empath and I could feel their pain. And I read and listened so I understood the reasons for their behavior and had compassion for what they had been through.
But I found so many opportunities and so much joy in exploring Queerness that I made a pledge to myself to not become a bitter and cynical old person. I fancied myself as a person of Panglossian Persuasion, if you will.😉
I’ve had my moments of burdening others with behaviors based in my pain, but apologizing when I acted out taught me a lesson that I hold dear today. I no longer have much need to “be right” but really strive to “not be or do wrong.” It was not originally an easy path, but walked repeatedly it has lead to my aging gracefully. Well, that and regularly dancing as hard as I could until I could no longer.
Apologies for getting kinda far from The Buena Vista Social Club. Time for me to hush up and pet my puppy.🫶
Don, Little tears of joy in my eyes for what you are doing, thank you.
My body is being less graceful about this endeavor than I would like, primarily due to chronic fatigue. But by the grace of more than one god/goddess I find myself in meaningful emotional and erotic relationships with three lovely men. All know to me for between 13 and 42 years.
Part of my social/ political activism has always demanded that I be Out, sometimes blatantly so. And I speak openly of the importance of erotic connection in my life whenever possible, especially now that I have such an abundance of it.
I use the VA for healthcare and always share that, while I may be a bit crotchety, I do have three “lovers.” I get wonderful, sometimes flirty, responses, but more important is their consistent encouragement to keep it up. (no pun).
I could never imagine establishing meaningful relationships like this with someone new to me.
Do you know other folks finding this kind of joyful connection based on long term friendships?
Besides me, you mean? :-) I love your comments, Gary. I love getting a picture of where you are in your life, and it doesn't surprise me that you find an abundance of emotional and erotic connections. It didn't happen by accident. You're someone who has lived a life on purpose and cultivated your body, mind, and heart -- a fiesta to be shared!
Don, I did in fact mean “other than” your own delectable self😋.
In bragging about the bowl filled with intimate grace where I have cheerfully found myself, I skipped past a how I consciously created a foundational piece of my “aging gracefully story.” When I came out (age 35 pre-AIDS) I often felt surrounded by cynical, angry, even mean-spirited men. Especially so older men. I’m an empath and I could feel their pain. And I read and listened so I understood the reasons for their behavior and had compassion for what they had been through.
But I found so many opportunities and so much joy in exploring Queerness that I made a pledge to myself to not become a bitter and cynical old person. I fancied myself as a person of Panglossian Persuasion, if you will.😉
I’ve had my moments of burdening others with behaviors based in my pain, but apologizing when I acted out taught me a lesson that I hold dear today. I no longer have much need to “be right” but really strive to “not be or do wrong.” It was not originally an easy path, but walked repeatedly it has lead to my aging gracefully. Well, that and regularly dancing as hard as I could until I could no longer.
Apologies for getting kinda far from The Buena Vista Social Club. Time for me to hush up and pet my puppy.🫶
love this and looking forward to learning how to age gracefully....well I've done a bit at 58 but hopefully more to come so needing examples...
thanks, Jenks!