Retiring at 100, Heart-Healthy Hot Chocolate, Christmas Beauty Brings Joy
Bite-sized inspiration and information in 4 minutes
Never Too Old for a New Job
Last week, my husband and I attended a lovely Christmas luncheon at a friend’s home, and we sat at a table with total strangers, which—by the way—is entirely out of my comfort zone. The woman sitting next to me started the conversation with the stale “what do you do?” question, but added “or are you retired?” Oh geez! My first horrified thought was “Holy smokes, do I look that old?!” I chuckled that I don’t believe in “retirement,” and quickly moved to a different subject.
The empty query reminded me of both my aversion to the retirement mindset and the unconventional story of Betty Reid Soskin, who became a Park Ranger at 85 and retired at 100. Yes, you read that right.
Betty, who died in 2024 at the age of 103, was born in 1921 in Detroit and raised in New Orleans before her family relocated to Oakland, California, following the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. Her great-grandmother had been born into slavery, so Betty developed a keen awareness of black history and culture, which shaped her lifelong love of stories in key chapters of America.
During World War II, Betty worked as a file clerk in a segregated union hall, witnessing firsthand the racial inequities that her great-grandmother recounted. Undaunted, in 1945, Betty co-founded Reid’s Records in Berkeley, which became a cultural and community hub for decades. Alongside her entrepreneurial work, she was active in civil rights, songwriting, and public service.
At the age 85, when most people have long been “retired,” this trailblazer began a new chapter that would earn her the moniker “oldest serving ranger in U.S. National Park Service history” at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California. There, she shared personal and often overlooked stories of black women and civilians of the WWII Home Front.
During the 2013 government shutdown, through numerous media interviews, Betty rose to national prominence for her exceptional status as the longest serving Park ranger. In 2015, she was selected to participate in the national tree-lighting ceremony in President’s Park at the White House, introducing President Barack Obama during the PBS telecast. In 2015, still not done with legacy-creating accomplishments, Betty published her book, Sign My Name to Freedom, based on her blog documenting her life experiences.
For anyone facing the last life trimester, Betty’s inspiring example is a reminder that you’re never too old to thrive in work you love.
Update: Judy’s Triumph!
Eighty-year-old Judy Benjamin completed her 2,790-mile cross-country trek to raise Alzhemers’s awareness on Saturday, November 15, and dipped her toes into the water on Florida's St. Augustine Beach. She crossed through eight states over eight months, met hundreds of people, and inspired countless more. A heartfelt congratulations to Judy for a remarkable accomplishment.
Hot Chocolate Is Heart Healthy (Yay!)
This Christmas season, you can drink to your health with the quintessential winter treat, hot chocolate. Surprisingly, this yummy tradition has been shown in multiple studies and meta-analyses to offer heart health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving blood vessel function. These effects are primarily linked to the naturally occurring flavanols (a type of polyphenol antioxidant) in the cocoa bean.
The cocoa polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect against cellular damage and inflammation associated with heart disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Additionally, improved blood vessel function and lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Before you rush to any hot chocolate, choose wisely. Most premade mixes contain highly processed ingredients; instead, make your own with minimal, high-quality ingredients. With cocoa, processing matters: alkalization (“dutching”) significantly reduces the flavanol content and benefits, and many commercial brands may contain heavy metals, so use unsweetened organic cacao, which is minimally processed from raw, fermented beans (cold-pressed). Use less sugar than what the recipe calls for or substitute alternatives such as maple syrup, allulose, or monk fruit. This recipe from Detoxinista is a good base to build on.
Enjoy a cozy, healthy tradition!
Beauty Brings Joy
When I was growing up, I can remember Christmases when I would sit across from the tree and stare at it for long stretches of time. It brought such a strong sense of peace and joy. All these decades later, I find myself doing the same thing early in the morning and as the evening winds down.
Beauty has been scientifically shown to release neurochemicals that bring joy, reduce stress, and induce a sense of peace by calming the nervous system. This, in turn, improves mood, fosters connections, and adds meaning to life by triggering positive emotions that signal health and well-being.
The Christmas tree is the marriage of two potent forms of beauty, nature and art, which explains (for me) its enduring presence, attraction, and calming force.
Although the holidays can be stressful for a variety of reasons, take time to ponder a Christmas tree and enjoy the peace and joy the beauty brings.
Thank YOU, Doryce, for supporting me with your gracious comments, I'm so appreciative that the posts resonate with you. I hope your move is for the better! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Thank you Camy for your excellent articles throughout the year! This one about Betty resonates deeply with me. At age 86 I thank God each morning that I am able to see the sun! I was shopping yesterday and a complete stranger remarked how beautiful my silver hair is. We are in the process of moving to a new home and I’m really stretching it as I pack up my room! Merry Christmas to you, Andrea and Alessio!