Celebrating Ourselves by Lynn Lovegreen

This month, we’re celebrating the Romancing the Genres anniversary and also celebrating ourselves. I took a long time to come around to the idea of celebrating myself. But I’m glad I did.

In many cultures, women aren’t encouraged to celebrate themselves. Often we aren’t encouraged to think of ourselves at all. Many of us fall into the habit of putting others first to the extent that we consider anything but ourselves. I know I did that for much of my life. But as I grew older, it was easier for me to begin making a change.

When I got to middle age, I found I didn’t care what others thought in the same way I had before. I still care about people, especially my loved ones. I help others as often as I can. But it doesn’t bother me if someone dislikes the way I dress or disagrees with something I say. I am not concerned with making everyone happy. And that’s freeing. I can now decide what I want to do without tying myself in knots trying to please everyone. That’s how I celebrate myself.

People in old age are often more like themselves, in that their personalities and activities expand on the tendencies they had all along. For example, if they loved being with people before, they’re even more extroverted in their old age. As I grow older, I indulge my hobbies and interests more often, including my writing. I live more the way I want to, and with the people I care about. Life’s too short to spend time on unimportant things. I focus on the things that matter to me. And in the process, I celebrate myself.

That’s my story. Now it’s your turn. How do you celebrate yourself nowadays?

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for over fifty years. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult historical fiction is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

If there was one thing in your life you'd change, what is it and why? by Lynn Lovegreen

I am lucky to have a pretty good life so far. There aren’t many things I would change, although I wish I were kinder at certain times. (My apologies to those out there that I hurt or treated badly.) Even the bad stuff in my life taught me lessons and helped me grow and become a better person. But if I had to change one thing, it would be the deaths of people I loved.

I’ve lost grandparents, a sister, mother, and several friends. Some of them died many years ago, and some recently. Each death left holes in my heart, especially the deaths of my sister and mother. Grief hit me pretty hard, and while I was able to move on after a few years, there are still moments when a song, movie, or even a certain scent will bring tears to my eyes.

There are times when I’d give anything to have them here again. I’d love to see them again, and to have them here to watch my daughter, her cousins, and my son-in-law grow up into the amazing adults they are today. But we can’t have everything. My consolations are sweet memories of my lost ones, and the thought that they’d be proud of the woman I’ve become. 

What we can do is to take care of each other the best we can, and savor all the moments we have together. Thank goodness I still have the love of my husband and other family members. I show them my love as often as I can. 

I hope you can do the same with yours. Wishing you lots of time with the people you love!

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for fifty years. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult historical fiction is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Old Friends by Lynn Lovegreen

I was talking with an old friend recently, and she was reflecting on her life of 90+ years. One thing she was most grateful for is her friends.  It struck a chord in my heart. My old friends are a big part of my life.

I grew up in the military, so most of my childhood friends have scattered to the winds. But I am fortunate to have several friends that I’ve known since I was a teen or young adult. They enhance my life in ways I couldn’t imagine when I was younger.

I have friends who’ve known me for ten, twenty, up to forty years. It’s great to know someone so well and vice versa. There’s no need to explain everything about my family or my background. I don’t have to impress them, or watch what I say too closely. They’re close enough to really care about me—warts and all.

Some of my best friends are my late mother’s age or older. In some cases, they were my mother’s friend first. That’s a lovely connection, especially when I’m missing her and they say they miss her, too. And it’s great to have an elder to talk to when I’m feeling down. They have the life experience to tell me that this too will pass, and the faith to encourage me to keep going. That’s golden—just like they are.

If you value elders in your life, too, you might enjoy my friend Lizbeth Selvig’s contemporary romances. She includes at least one older character in each of her books. My favorite is Robert McCormick in Rescued By a Stranger. There's also 94-year-old Grandma Sadie in the Seven Brides series. But I recommend all of them! Lizbeth's latest book is Missing By a Heartbeat.  Learn more at  http://www.lizbethselvig.com/.

 Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for about fifty years. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.