Fifty is the New is Two!

Join Cathy Fischer and her Terpsichorean muses in a special anniversary dance

On April 22, 2008, in “Entering the Blogosphere”, the very first Fifty is the New blog post, I wrote, “Will I have something to say as I am catapulted into the world of commentary, citizen journalism and navel-gazing? I continued with this pretty clever strategy, “For backup, I have enlisted the help of some articulate, powerful, funny, sexy and smart voices. Other women, friends of a ‘certain age,’ whose reflections make me sit up and take notice, wonder aloud, laugh, get enraged and engaged in life—mid-life.” Yes, quite clever, enlisting those women, if I say so myself…

Since that first post two years ago, a lot has changed. There were few blogs written by middle aged women back then, and now there are many. Baby boomers on Facebook? Not in 2008, when it was still an online campus, a collection of pimple-faced college kids and a few early adopters. In these past two years, we’ve put a new president in office, brought ecology back, and now there are more women over 50 smiling from the cover of magazines. (Hey Ellen! Lookin’ good)!

If you’ve been following Fifty is the New, you know we write about topics that run the gamut from midlife love to corporate greed, politics to hair color, gratitude to motherhood. I think we’ve stayed true to our charge, sharing our “girlfriendly points of view” and “living midlife with humor and grace.” Allow me to make a very important point here: We wouldn’t be inclined to do so without the support and comments from our fans and readers. We love those comments, keep them coming!

So why do my co-collaborators, these brilliant, insightful and witty women continue to work for next to, err… actually nothing? Why do they give their heart, soul, time and energy to bring forth thoughtful and thought-provoking essays week after week? I thought I’d ask them. Here’s what they had to say:

“Fifty is the New is one of my lifelines. Having moved to what feels like the outer edges of the Wild West, Fifty is the New has been my viral coffee clatch. An ongoing conversation about everything with women—some of whom I know, and others I don’t—scattered across the country. Alleviating isolation, maintaining connection.” —Melissa

“When my father died at age 89, he said to me, ‘I didn’t realize life was so short.’ His life may have seemed short because he never shared his innermost thoughts with anyone. All his stories, his experiences, his thoughts and feelings died with him. A life not shared is short indeed. Fifty is the New allows me to open these inner vaults to the anonymity of the Internet stage and put them up for all the world to read. I am so grateful I have the courage to do what my father could not bring himself to do—to share, to risk, to tell my stories in good company.” —Prudence

“I love Fifty is the New because my fellow bloggers somehow keep finding the most ingenious ways to talk about important and not-so-important stuff with welcome grace, humor and intelligence!” —Carine

“Writing for Fifty is the New has given me the opportunity to vent, explore, whine, laugh, think, be accountable, and share with my peer group. It’s a powerful thing to be in good company.” —Connie

“I find that reliving my stories through writing brings me to a deeper understanding of my experiences (it may be the reason I often struggle to keep up with schedule). And when I read my colleagues posts, I am in awe of the company I am privileged to keep. Formidable! As the French would say.” —Christie

Awww. It’s a frickin’ love fest!

Here are some updates, quick recaps from the past two years; since we might have left you hanging with some of our previous posts.

From Prudence:
“The youngest of three daughters, I was the one who hated school the most. Once I managed to garner my BA (on the seven-year plan, no less), I vowed never to return. So much for promises! I went back to school in 2008 and earned a Master’s certificate in autism spectrum disorders.”

From Carine:
“After a year of hard labor, my new book is out: Jagua, A Journey into Body Art from the Amazon. I’m very proud of it! And, I am now way past the tortuous horror and flinch-inducing growing-out-the-gray process, and am officially comfortable with super gray hair around my crown and slowly-graying the rest of head. Whew!”

From Melissa:
No matter whether one is 20 or 50, the first part of falling in love is great and then the work begins. For me love in midlife means I am more connected to my own life path (having come to the relationship with 50 years of a full life behind me) and needs and much less inclined to throw them over for love. I have a few more tools in my relationship kit, and I am making use of them. The work is to grow each other and that requires some accommodation, which is noble yet challenging work to be sure.

From Christie:
I am still living a repurposed, reused, recycled life and loving it. I think the best form of recycling is telling stories and that’s what Fifty is the New has given me the opportunity to do these past two years. I also took an Advanced Intellectual Property Law course which plunged me deep into the legal arcana behind how to hang on to what you got.

From Connie:
Only one thing in the last two years has and is impacting my life. MENOPAUSE. I really hate this shit.

From Cathy:
I was sporting the salt and pepper hair from last June until just last week. I now have very short, spiky dark hair with a flash of silver dramatically spouting from my upfront cowlick. As of May 23rd, I’ll be celebrating my two-year milestone as a breast cancer survivor…. and to think I wanted to keep all that quiet! Sharing the journey with Fifty is the New readers, strengthened and rounded out my support circle. And today, is my “Un-Earth Day” as I will tackle the scary closet where the wild things are.

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On our anniversary, and always, we invite you to tell us how you feel about Fifty is the New. You can leave a comment below or send us an email. Criticism and praise are equally welcome. Tell us what you like, what you want to see more or less of, or just share your thoughts.

A shout out of big gratitude and appreciation for my fellow contributors: Carine, Christie, Connie, Melissa and Prudence, and to all of you, our cherished readers, friends and community. Cheers!

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