WE ARE OLDER, WISER, AND RARE!

A DISCUSSION GROUP FOR OLDER (EVERYONE'S OLDER THAN SOMEONE!), MOSTLY RETIRED WOMEN INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE GIFTS, MYTHS, AND CHALLENGES OF GROWING OLDER as well as other topics chosen by each group.
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meeting guidelines and contact information can be found below.

Click here to go to the 2023-2024 Schedule and Resources.
Click here to go to Resources for Rare Women.
Click here to go to Housing Options as We Age.
The words for lighting and extinguishing our chalice(s) can be found in a pdf file here.


All Rare Women are welcome to join.

​Contact the group's facilitator to be added to the email list for that group.
​You will receive meeting reminders and the Zoom link for the group's meeting.

1st and 3rd Thursdays, 9:30 - 11:00 am, beginning September 19th - ​Bonnie Gilliom, facilitator

1st and 3rd Thursdays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, beginning September 19th - Nancy Mayer, facilitator

I Am Not Old

I am not old…she said
I am rare.
I am the standing ovation
At the end of the play.
I am the retrospective
Of my life as art
I am the hours
Connected like dots
Into good sense
I am the fullness
Of existing.
You think I am waiting to die…
But I am waiting to be found
I am a treasure.
I am a map.
And these wrinkles are
Imprints of my journey
Ask me anything.
- Samantha Reynolds

Meeting guidelines


We will start on time with the lighting of the chalice and end with extinguishing the chalice.

Each meeting will begin with a 1-minute per person introduction and check-in time.

What is said in our meetings stays in each meeting unless the speaker gives permission to share.

Everybody has a chance to talk once before anyone talks a second time, but no one is required to speak.

Everyone will listen attentively and respectfully  to each speaker without engaging in cross talk with others.

We will pause for a breath or two after each person finishes so that there is time to assimilate what they said before the next person speaks.
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We will use "I" statements to share personal experiences and avoid the temptation to offer advice, lecture, or preach.  We are not here to "fix" anyone.

The group is intended to be helpful in building friendships and being supportive, but it is NOT therapy.

The facilitator is responsible for monitoring the pace to make sure that each person has a chance to share her thoughts on the topic within the time period allotted for the meeting.
TED talks that might be of interest:
The Secret to Living Longer Might be Your Social Life by Susan Pinker
What Makes A Good Life - Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness by Robert Waldinger
​How to Live to 100+ by Dan Buettner