The Disguise of Gray Hair and Wrinkles

As I entered my mid 60’s I was looking toward retirement and what that might look like. My mother who was in her 80’s and worked till she was 82, said “You don't retire, you just refocus.”

 After his 30 year career as a parish pastor, Paul Graves transitioned into geriatric social work. As Paul said in his “Faith and Values” column in the Spokesman Review “Gray hair and wrinkles aren't a fashion statement. They’re a values statement.” . . . 

 Paul continued . . . “I enjoy learning the origins of words that are fun to say. “Geezer” is one of those words. It's much more than a stereotypical grumpy old man. It comes from the word “guiser” a late 15th century Cockney word that means “disguise.”“When I saw that, I immediately realized a geezer can be someone who has a hopeful, even adventurous attitude towards life, and simply lives in the disguise of gray hair and wrinkles.”‘

Paul spread that message for over 20 years and hosted the Geezer Forum in Sandpoint,Idaho.

Although Paul has now moved on to Oregon, the group still continues. With his permission, members of Carenet, a local nonprofit group of  professionals providing services for seniors, are interested in creating a Geezer Forum South. 

 The Geezer Forum is an opportunity to explore topics of interest to seniors, different aspects of aging and to learn about different community resources available for older adults in the Coeur d'Alene area. The meetings feature educational topics, rather than being sales focused.  In addition, the Forum is a way for seniors to share their wisdom as well as keep connected with each other and the community.