Hi! I’m new here.
Ok, I’m not, like, shiny new, but you haven’t seen my name on here much. My friend Juli has been handling this blog for a long time. She is a true professional and does wonderful work. Recently, she handed that duty off to me, which led me to question her sanity. I could lead you through tangents or induce cognitive dissonance or other big words I learned from my thesaurus!
A little about me.
My name is Kevin Evans and I am an Older Adult. That’s the new, nice term for senior citizens. I turn 60 in 2024. I have had a lot of experience in a lot of different industries. I’ve worked in retail, education, ministry, social work, and several others. My work has always centered around helping people. Currently, I am the Wellness and Community Engagement Lead at SeniorAge. Yeah…I don’t know what it means either. But I do know I get to write for this blog!
My personal life has been filled with many opportunities and, frankly, success. I have also experienced a lot of loss and missteps. I have enjoyed financial good times and trudged through financial disasters. I experienced the loss of my wife three years ago and the joy of being married to her for 33 years. I’ve raised two boys to adulthood and am now a single grandpa co-parenting two grandchildren. I think I have earned every gray hair in my beard.
But I don’t want to look back as much now. Good memories are worth reflecting on but life is lived now and the future holds so much for us. There will be challenges as we age, for sure, but there is also so much joy to be had.
I have had the pleasure of knowing several older adults who are role models for aging well. One dear lady I know spends her days working in her yard, creating beautiful arts and crafts, and volunteering a ton of hours at a senior center, and she was able to squeeze in marrying her sweetheart. Another older adult, in her 90s, regularly volunteers, writes poetry, and loves playing cards with a group of girls. My father, who is in his 80s, decided it was time to retire….and then went to look for a part-time job! These are some of the people that inspire me.
So let’s explore this “getting older” thing together. Like you, I’ve never been this age before! Let’s dig into the dirt and find ways to grow together. Let’s hold each other’s hands and support each other when we face challenging times. Look for more helpful, relatable, and, hopefully, inspiring information in this blog. Let me know if you have ideas or comments at ke*********@se*********.org.
Kevin I have alway’s known I enjoy working with you, And that you are a very inspiring coworker. I just didn’t know that you had so much within yourself that makes you you. I loved getting to know you even better thank you for letting us in!
You are way too kind! Thank you Kathy. Working with you and others in SeniorAge has been the highlight of my working life.
I read your blog and what do you know we share a hobby or a fault! I tend to watch a lot of netflix too and sort of live in my TV. But you are right it’s time to come put of my cave. I hate getting old (who doesn’t) I have been living in memories with dead people for about 4 years. But I am putting my toes out to see what happens. I am a very private person and don’t make friends easly. But I am going to try> Keep writing !
Hi Saundra! Great to hear from you! I can relate to being a private person with few friends. I had to come to a place where I realized that the only way I would get out was by…getting out! It has been challenging at times, but the memories are a reward in themselves. Who knows! Maybe I will see you out there!!