Life Lessons from an 87-year-old Adventurer
Every now and then we sit down to have a chat with the Soulo community to learn about their experience with life, aging, and independence. Today's headliner is Virginia, a seasoned adventurer from … you guessed it … Virginia, USA!
When Virginia was born in 1936, her parents gave her a name that would serve as a reminder to her home state. Yet over the next 87 years, her life would be far from confined to her hometown — she would live in Morocco as part of the Air Force, become a mother, travel to dozens of states and countries, and earn degrees in nursing, psychology, and anesthesia. As she reflects on her journey, she shares what she’s learned about aging gracefully, living in the moment, and the importance of curiosity.
Virginia's journey through various careers is a testament to her resilience — she never shied away from pursuing her passions, even as a woman in a time when societal expectations limited her choices. “I always wanted to be a surgeon, I would do ‘operations’ on my dolls as a child,” she shared. “But women were not encouraged to become surgeons at the time.” Although Virginia didn’t become a doctor, her pursuit of knowledge and passion for medicine led her to become the oldest graduate in her nursing anesthesia program at 39 and earn her master's in Psychology. Her career brought her to the Air Force where she met her first husband, and she would eventually head an anesthesia team in the emergency room in Virginia.
When it comes to love, Virginia will laugh and tell you that she’s not very good at it after two divorces. Still, she never stopped opening herself up to relationships. In fact, she found her current partner, a retired pilot, through an online dating website. ”We sat in the restaurant and talked for 12 hours until it closed,” said Virginia with a smile as she reflected on their first date nine years ago. “We agreed that we didn’t want to be married again, but he called me the next day to say that he was going to take himself off the [dating] site, and I said I wanted to as well.” Her love of companionship can also be seen in her long-term friendships, as she encourages others to find people who share their interests and love of adventure.
As a mother, Virginia's parenting philosophy encourages independence. She believed in empowering her children to make their own decisions, fostering a sense of responsibility from a young age. Her approach to parenting echoes her broader philosophy of allowing individuals to choose their paths.
“I tried to make my son independent. Get him to make decisions and let him know that I trusted him instead of watching all the time”
At an age when many might opt for a slower lifestyle, Virginia remains an active participant in the world. She still drives, takes trips on buses to explore various venues, and embarks on transatlantic voyages - most recently, a 26-day Caribbean cruise. Her words echo the sentiment that life is a grand journey meant to be experienced, and her 50 cruises stand as a testament to that belief, bringing her across the Mediterranean, France, Italy, and South America. “I love cruises”, she gushed. “You pack once, and everything is planned for you!” On weekends she isn’t traveling, you can find her at lunch with friends, perusing thrift shops, and buying glass-blown pottery at local art stores.
Although financial security is important, Virginia recognizes that as we age, time becomes more precious than wealth. “The time comes when you realize you have enough money,” she said. “If I had worked five more years, I would have more money, but the time becomes more important to you.” She hopes to see others fortunate enough to strike a balance between work and life, focusing on the things that truly matter.
Perhaps the most compelling lesson Virginia imparts is the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning. At 87, she continues to attend university classes to explore new subjects. Most recently, she took a course about how to compose an opera from the University of Florida Atlantic. She noted the positive effects learning has on brain health and preventing cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“As you age, you need to keep learning new things. Never lose your curiosity.”
As Virginia concludes, "Sometimes you just have to take chances. You have to make a decision and go with it and see what happens," she shows us the rewards of taking those risks and making the most of every moment, regardless of age. Her story encourages us to live life to the fullest, no matter where our journey may take us. She is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, the value of lifelong learning, and the importance of embracing life with open arms.