Grey Tsunami winners

If you read my previous blog, you'll know that I asked readers to tell me what they would put in a virtual Grey Tsunami Preparedness Kit.  I offered prizes for writers who let me know what they would include in their old age grab and go.

There were many excellent responses. It was obvious that people put a lot of thought into what they would want to carry with them into their sunset years.

Some said I had done a good job with the list but they just wanted to add one or two things.  I got a kick out of one of my peers (female) who said she would make sure that a "good sex life" was included!

Another wanted good eyesight, good books to read, and a cat to sit on her lap, as well as the most comfy chair in the world!

Darlene, who is a financial planner, wants you to visit her for your financial analysis and long term care insurance!  Besides networking, she says she would bring her e-reader.

Sue wants to hang onto her memories for as long as she can.

Thank you to two of my biggest fans Dolores and Leslie who love the contents of MY basket and think that because I am so prepared that they will be coming to my place!

Kudos to Mary-Wynne who sent me a lovely story which I will share with you at a later date.

The first, second, and third place honours go to (drum roll please)

Martha (a.k.a. Lemonaide Life) for her list of things to pack which included "lots of time to spend with those I love, enjoying the simple things in life"...and "funky sunglasses".  You can see her entire list in my comments section.

Bill~ who wants to take all of his marbles and adds "a sense of drama as I journey through Act 3".  You can see his clever list which is also in my comments section.

Lynda~ wants a pen and paper and states poignantly "I would make a list of all the people I have loved and cared about, and do my best to put into words, how much I valued knowing them, and how they had enriched my life."  She added "I do try to say these things as the years go by, but sometimes I am too tired, too rushed, too forgetful to say what needs to be said." She finished with she would hate to think that her life would end or her memory would fail her without those people knowing just how much they meant to her.

For their efforts they all get Rogers Chocolates made right here in Victoria, Canada.  Martha, for her first place win, gets an artsy tin with a sampling of Victoria Creams.  I will be mailing her prize to her in Edmonton later this week.

Bill and Lynda get large bars of chocolate and I will probably deliver them in person since they don't live too far away.

Thanks one and all. I appreciate that you took the time to write to me!

Remember that after each blog, there is a section for comments and you can post it as "anon" if you don't have a blog account.

Grey Tsunami

Baby Boomers are bracing for a huge tidal wave. It's all of us retiring and growing old together.  Flotillas of us searching for availability at care homes.  Thousands upon thousands heading to higher ground hoping perhaps our kids will build a suite for us in their place.

The headlines scream like Henny Penny that the sky is falling and that we'd better get prepared. We should run, not walk, to financial planners and get that nest egg bigger.  Prudent saving. Do yoga. Stretch. Eat Fish Oil.

If you had a grab and go kit for when the big surge happens what would you include in it?  You can pack material goods if you want to or you could stash some virtual goods.

Here's what I would want in a bag ready by the door:

• flexibility (two types)

-physical  I don't need to be able to do the splits, but it'd be great to be able to walk or run
-emotional  It'd be great if I didn't sweat the small stuff-

• sense of humour

-the self deprecating kind
-and some quirky thrown in

• volunteerism/service

-let me help others in any way I can

• strength

-in order to do something for myself if needed. I might need to lift a tree or something.

• extra virtues

-joy, patience, faith, and anything else I could fit in there

• tons of memories

-childhood, marriage, birth of children and grandchildren

• the ability to remember names

-I hate getting that blank look on my face

• prayers and inspirational quotes

-some committed to memory and some written on bits of paper and laminated so they won't get destroyed

• and a few material items just to be on the safe side:

matches, candles, toilet paper, hip protectors, tea bags, important phone numbers, Kraft Dinner, water, flashlight, batteries, warm blanket, photos of loved ones, a few gold bars, a lot of chocolate.

I would be interested in hearing what you would put in your Grey Tsunami Preparedness Kit.
If you don't have a gmail/blog account, you can just send it to me as "anon" in the comments section.  I will pick a first, second, and third best and will award prizes.

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