Joan Lunden - Why Did I Come into This Room?: A Candid Conversation about Aging

Why Did I Come into This Room?

A Candid Conversation about Aging

2020 Joan Lunden

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

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This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subjects addressed in the publication. It is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering medical, health, or any other kind of personal professional services in the book. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other competent professional before adopting any of the suggestions in this book or drawing inferences from it.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book.

Published by Forefront Books.

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, KerseyGraphics

All photos not otherwise credited are from the authors personal collection.

Jacket design by Bruce Gore | Gore Studio, Inc.

Jacket front photograph by Robbie Quinn

Jacket back photograph by Simon Bruty

ISBN: 978-1-948677-29-5

ISBN: 978-1-948677-30-1 (eBook)

I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO MY female readers. This book was written because of you. All of you who spent your mornings with me for the two decades as I hosted Good Morning America, my morning friends; I hold you close to my heart. All of you who connect with me day in and day out on my social media platforms sharing your concerns and your own stories have become an extended family of sorts. And to all of you whom I have met as Ive crisscrossed this nation speaking at events, thank you for your continued support.

I know its a giant clich, but we are truly in this boat together. As women, we experience aging differently than our male counterparts. It is a journey that can leave us feeling frightened, frustrated, and alone at times. I want to shine a light on those dark moments that would then help us all feel more empowered and less alone.

Women fuel my passion to research and learn more about how we can better care for our health and our happiness in order to age more successfully. You have sent me on this mission, to seek the answers to those questions that each of us individually might be embarrassed to talk about.

In addition to seeking answers, I felt compelled to start an open dialogue about aging in this country. As I discuss in this book, aging has changed dramatically, and we need to be better prepared. An open dialogue will help us understand how our female bodies function and the changes that naturally come with the aging process. It can also serve to remind us all that there is a silver lining to aging: reflection, gratitude for a life well lived, time for more relaxation, and new opportunities for many of us. It is up to us to replace the dismal expectations of aging with an anticipation of enjoyment and, yes, even excitement if you plan it that way. That is the mindset that I ask you to hold as you read this book.

Again, women are all in this boat together, and we can learn from one another and take strength from one another. As I wrote this book, I never lost sight of my purpose to empower you, to give you tools, and, yes, to give you a laugh now and then, and to make sure that none of you feel you were on this aging journey alone. You most certainly are not.

Joan

The wisdom acquired with the passage of time is a useless gift unless you share it.

E STHER W ILLIAMS

I HAD A HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE A while back that sent shivers up and down my spine. I was sitting in my office ready for a scheduled phone interview with The Hollywood Reporter. I had done many interviews with them over the years, especially during my time at Good Morning America. But now, I was doing special reports for the Today show and this interview was to promote one of our upcoming series on the Baby Boomer generation. It was about the importance of social connections as we age and the power of having friendships.

As soon as the reporter said hello, I noticed that he sounded rather young. But that didnt surprise me as much as the first question he asked. He began, So Ms. Lunden, what will it be like for you returning to morning TV as a senior citizen?

I felt like asking if my mother was on the call with us. Instead, I sat stunned. I sat silently for a moment, doing my best to regain my composure.

Id never been called a senior citizen before, nor had I ever thought of myself as one. I didnt want to come across as defensive, but I couldnt help feeling a little shocked by the realization that he saw me that wayaka old!

Did it sting? Like a bee.

Talk to me when your facial hair starts growing!

Thankfully, he moved on.

Clearly, I did not.

It happened a few years ago, yet Im still thinking about it (thankfully, not hourly or daily anymore, only weekly).

It happened a few years ago, yet Im still thinking about it.

And why is that? I guess because it dawned on me that this young man googled me, saw that I was in my 60s, and then labeled me accordingly. It made me think: What else does that automatically make me in his eyes? A has-been? Someone who is no longer relevant in todays youth-obsessed world? Or maybe just too old to be a woman on TV?

It felt as though there was a hidden implication that I should be frightened. Or maybe they should build a chairlift on set for me my own motorized scooter. I wasnt scared; I have faced cancer head on and survived it. I have 7 children. I have interviewed some of the most amazing people in the world. I could handle this age thing. Bring.It.On.

Okay, so maybe Im a little oversensitive about being called a senior citizen. I mean, technically, I do fit the age requirement. Even so, I dont feel like one. Whenever I receive mail marketed to me as a senior, I trash it. It cant hit the receptacle fast enough. Sometimes Ill shove it way down to the bottom of the bin so no one else will see it.

Life Alert offer? Nope. Not mine.

Someone obviously made a mistake sending it to me, and if it stays in my possession too long, I fear it might rub off on me.

Oh no. How long do I have before A Place for Mom calls to ask if I need A place for me?

I must confess that, although I reacted to the reporters comment this way, the jarring start to our interview really got me thinking about age and ageism.

The word old is almost a dirty word in our society. While I definitely feel older, I absolutely dont feel old, and I certainly have no shame about my age. It is, after all, just a number. It might not be the lowest number, but its definitely not the highest number either.