Rethinking What “Success” Means, Understanding Osteoporosis as a Silent Disease, and Social Security Benefits for Widows and Divorcees

You're receiving this because you signed up on our website. Want to unsubscribe? Just reply to this email with the words “no thanks.”

First-time reader? Join {{active_subscriber_count}} other seniors for free.

Have you reviewed our book yet? Please do so here.

Free Downsizing Support
Thinking about moving, downsizing, or decluttering? Get help at no cost to you.
Get Free Downsizing Help

Retirement Circles (Peer Support Groups)
Looking for connection and purpose in retirement? Join small, facilitated peer groups that meet twice monthly online.
Apply to Join a Retirement Circle

Write Your Obituary in Advance
Make things easier on your family by having your obituary thoughtfully written now, so your life is recounted exactly as you wish.
Order Professional Obituary Writing

Long-Term Care Insurance
Thinking about long-term care insurance?
Get Free Expert Guidance

Genealogy & Family History
Curious about your family tree? Get help with small projects or extensive research.
Free Genealogy Consultation

Leave Your Words for Future Generations
Want to leave your children and grandchildren a letter they’ll treasure forever—in your own words?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written

Have You Written Something?
Learn about professional editing, publication options, etc.
Get a Free Publishing Consult

Senior Living (55+, Assisted, Memory)
Looking for assisted living options near you? We can help.
Get Local Options for Free

Backwater Tide: Large Print
by Steven Becker
This mystery follows Special Agent Kurt Hunter after he finds a boat drifting in Biscayne National Park with a famous treasure hunter dead onboard. As Kurt and Justine dig deeper, shifting alliances and a growing body count pull them into the dangerous world of South Florida treasure hunters.

Success is often described as something clear and measurable — milestones reached, goals achieved, progress you can point to. Over time, many people find that this definition becomes less fixed. Success doesn’t disappear, but it may become more personal and less visible.

At certain points, success can feel closely tied to external markers: completing something important, meeting expectations, earning recognition, or keeping pace with others. These forms of success are concrete and widely understood. They often require effort, persistence, and focus — and achieving them can bring a strong sense of accomplishment.

Over time, success may be defined less by visibility and more by experience. It might look like having control over how your day unfolds, feeling settled in your decisions, or creating a routine that feels manageable and comfortable. These markers are less obvious to others, but often more meaningful to you.

For some, success begins to include a sense of steadiness: fewer unnecessary pressures, fewer rushed moments, and more ease in daily life. It might mean knowing what to prioritize — and what not to. These changes are subtle, but they shape how life feels from one day to the next.

Success can also be reflected in the quality of relationships. Staying in touch in small, consistent ways. Spending time with people in a way that feels natural rather than demanding. These forms of connection may not stand out, but they often carry lasting value.

One of the most significant shifts for many people is the role of choice. Deciding how to spend time, which commitments to keep, and what to step away from. Being able to make those decisions — and feel comfortable with them — can become a meaningful measure of success.

Reconsidering what success means doesn’t erase earlier definitions. It adds to them. What once felt important may still hold value, while new priorities take shape alongside it.

The Clock Above the Stove
From the life overview of Mildred F., 92, Burlington, Vermont. Shared with permission.

Mounted above the stove in our kitchen, there was a round clock with a plain white face and black numbers large enough to read from across the room.

I looked at that clock dozens of times each day without realizing it—when something was baking, when the children needed to leave for school, and when the evening news was about to begin. It quietly organized the rhythm of the house.

Occasionally, it ran a few minutes fast or slow. I’d climb onto a chair, adjust the small dial on the back, and correct the time. Afterward, I always felt a strange sense of satisfaction, as if the entire day had been nudged back into alignment.

Over the years, the kitchen changed in many ways. Appliances were replaced, and cabinets were repainted. Even the old table eventually gave way to a new one.

But that clock remained in the same place, steadily marking the hours despite everything else shifting around it.

Even now, when I glance toward the stove, I still expect to see those familiar hands quietly making their way around the circle.

***

Many people consider writing something like this themselves—or even using AI tools to help. Some do. But when it comes to the stories that matter most, many decide they’d rather sit down with someone who can listen, ask the right questions, and shape those memories into something truly lasting.

Do you want to record your beliefs and hopes for future generations?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written

The American Folk Art Museum – Online Collection
This collection highlights works created outside formal artistic traditions, offering pieces that are often deeply personal and rooted in everyday experience. The range—from quilts to carvings to paintings—invites a slower kind of looking, where craftsmanship and story come forward together. It’s a thoughtful way to spend time with art that feels both intimate and enduring.

BBC Desert Island Discs
This long-running radio program invites guests to share the music that has shaped their lives, along with the stories behind those choices. The conversations are measured and reflective, often revealing unexpected moments of insight. It’s a quietly engaging way to listen—to both music and memory—at an unhurried pace.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget.

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones. Some people begin by writing on their own—or even using AI tools—but many eventually decide they’d rather simply talk and have their story shaped into something lasting. That’s where we come in.

Do you want to record your beliefs and hopes for future generations?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written

Backing up your computer means keeping a copy of your files somewhere safe in case your device is lost, stolen, or stops working. Photos, documents, and important records can disappear in seconds—unless you have a backup.

The simplest option is automatic cloud backup. This runs in the background and saves your files online without you having to think about it.

Once set up, these services automatically save your Desktop, Documents, and Photos. If your computer breaks, you can sign in on a new device and everything is still there.

If you prefer something physical, use an external hard drive. Plug it in, then copy your important folders onto it once a week.

For stronger protection, use both cloud and physical backups (this is often called the “3-2-1 rule”).

On Windows, turn on built-in backup tools. On Mac, use Time Machine.

For automatic, full-system backups (including programs and settings), consider services like Backblaze or Carbonite.

These run quietly in the background and back up everything—not just selected folders.

A Simple Rule to Remember

If a file matters to you, it should exist in at least two places. Set it up once, and your future self will be very glad you did.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Orient Far East Cruise - departing June 9, from $284

Unmissable American gem: Fairbanks, Alaska is a unique northern destination known for its stunning aurora borealis views, peaceful wilderness, and cultural experiences that offer a memorable blend of nature and discovery at a comfortable pace.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Old-fashioned bathroom sink.

SAHBSIANW

Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. Find out more here.

Interested in advertising with Seniors Magazine? Learn more here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.