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You are here: Home / Musings About Aging / Smile, though your heart is breaking…

Smile, though your heart is breaking…

June 7, 2011 By Gail


I’ve been meaning to try an experiment. I want to watch television for selected two hour segments—a segment in the morning, a segment in the afternoon, a segment in the evening—and observe the number and types of advertisements aimed at seniors. Images are sneaky. We see them over and over and begin to identify with the content. The other day I saw an ad, and I can’t even tell you what it was selling, but it was set in a room full of elderly people. There was a lot of confusion based on poor hearing and miscommunication. It seemed humorous and sad at the same time.
I’m a firm believer in laughing at life’s foibles, perceived inequities, and at one’s self. However, I also remember how helpless my grandmother felt once her hearing started to go. She desperately tried to make sense of conversations, but when the words seemed like mumbled whispers, grandma mostly smiled and nodded. It was easy to tell when she didn’t understand but was trying to pretend she did. “Grandma, what did you have for breakfast today?” Smile and nod. “Who was that woman leaving your room?” Smile and nod. No matter how hard I tried to assure her that I had the time to repeat myself, or the will to speak louder, she felt embarrassed. It was easier to pretend. So I wonder…are ads poking fun at seniors as funny as they are meant to be, or are we smiling and nodding just to blend in?

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Filed Under: Musings About Aging

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Through my blog and website, I hope to share beauty, laughter, inspiration, aging & midlife lessons and advice on dealing with menopause. I will also devote time to integrative health and healing tips and news. I want feedback and questions because, while we may be sharing the journey, every woman has her own experience and her own story.

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Comments

  1. Chester Highers says

    October 7, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

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