Do Seniors Live in a "Used to be" World?

“Glory Days” by Bruce Springstein is a song from our youth that laments getting old and telling stories of the past. But do we live in the past now that we are older more than we live in the present? Memory is fickle, which can lead to romanticizing the past. But looking back in history helps remind us of the reality, like women’s fight to gain the right to vote, to work after marriage, have a credit card, etc., an example of the past helping us to build our future. What lies in our past may influence how we view it. If we are now having mobility issues, the past may be a ‘safe harbour’ to go for memories of walking, running or skating. But if there is trauma, our ‘safe harbour’ may be in the present. Seniors have adopted technology and advances in technology help keep us in the present, while also allowing us through YouTube to dip into the things that we enjoyed about the past. Class reunions are an odd mix of past, present and memory all rolled into one. So, do seniors live in a used to be world? We answer that question with an unequivocal yes and no and It’s complicated. And if Ecclesiastes is to be believed, maybe it is unwise to ask the question!