By Gregory Horan
Resident Writer
One thing that has surprised me as I’ve spent more time with seniors is how many of them are incredibly interesting people. In some cases, they even seem healthier, more active, and more engaged with life than people decades younger.
I’ve been attending the Appalachian Mountain Club’s social and lecture nights, where most of the participants are seniors. During dinner, there is always a lot of lively conversation, and I often find myself amazed by the stories I hear. Many of them have traveled all over the world—to places like Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. What stands out is not just where they have been, but the excitement they still have when talking about their adventures. Even more inspiring, many are already looking ahead to their next trip.
Closer to home, many of these seniors are also very active. They kayak, hike, and bicycle regularly. What’s especially interesting is that some of them can go quite a distance—sometimes even farther than younger hikers. Their energy, endurance, and love of the outdoors challenge the idea that aging automatically means slowing down.
Through volunteering and spending time with seniors for nearly two decades, I’ve also had the privilege of listening to many of their stories. Again and again, I hear themes of gratitude, care for the environment, commitment to family, and a desire to give back to their communities.
There is a depth to their perspective that I find both inspiring and hopeful. Being around seniors has helped me see aging in a different way. Instead of viewing it only as a period of decline, I’ve come to see it as a stage of life that can hold wisdom, adventure, resilience, and purpose. In many ways, some seniors seem more alive, more curious, and more grateful than younger adults.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy spending time with them so much. Their stories, values, and enthusiasm for life remind me that a meaningful life is not defined by age. In fact, sometimes the people who have lived the longest are the ones who are still living the fullest.
My brother & I who are both seniors, enjoy our hobby Amateur Astronomy. we have several telescopes that we use regularly with our friend who is also a senior citizen. We also like delving into the history of West Haven & New Haven along with my girlfriend Rose. Rose & I recently traveled to London & we plan to go overseas again this year. There are so many different things to keep us senior citizens interested in life!