Written by

Carole Leskin

‘Covid has pushed my loneliness to the brink’

An injury can often lead to learning to live differently. Source: Getty

‘Injury has changed my life and I’m struggling to adjust’

‘Injury has changed my life and I’m struggling to adjust’

Injury has robbed Carole of many of the activities that gave her joy.

This community writer is furious about society's attitude towards older Australians. Source: Getty.

‘Old is good! I may be 75, but that doesn’t mean I am no longer of use’

‘Old is good! I may be 75, but that doesn’t mean I am no longer of use’

"We have become a nation afraid of growing older. We hate what "old" is and do everything we can to avoid or delay it."

With all the challenges around the world, Carole says faith is sustaining her through the hard times. Source: Getty Images

‘When faith is what I need most: How I’m handling these hard times’

‘When faith is what I need most: How I’m handling these hard times’

"All I could do was sit and grieve. Overwhelmed. Where am I? What is happening to the imperfect, but basically kind country I knew?"

'Mac's Garden' has been put on hold during coronavirus, which has made Carole appreciate the little things in life. Source: Getty Images

‘The year without our garden: Coronavirus makes me miss the little things in life’

‘The year without our garden: Coronavirus makes me miss the little things in life’

"The impact of this seemingly unimportant decision was surprisingly painful! It has caught me by surprise - the little things that I miss."

Pansies, daffodils and a robin made all the difference to Carole's day. Source: Getty Images

‘Pansies, daffodils and a robin: Finding faith when life feels hopeless’

‘Pansies, daffodils and a robin: Finding faith when life feels hopeless’

"There they are. The life affirming, spectacular everyday events that go on no matter what."

Carole did not want to go to hospital for fear of not coming home. Source: Stock Photo/Getty Images

‘Is this the day I die?: A solo ager’s look at death’

‘Is this the day I die?: A solo ager’s look at death’

"I struggle to make sense of this experience. Instead, I feel as if I have fallen into a deep hole."

It was a homeless man in a wheelchair that taught Carole a hard lesson about life. Source: Getty Images

‘The hard lesson I learned while wishing I still was the way I was’

‘The hard lesson I learned while wishing I still was the way I was’

"Acceptance is proving to be a difficult task. I have a long way to go if I am to become the person I want to be."

Scenic Smithville Lake in Burlington County on a late-autumn day. Source: Getty Images

‘The startling realisation that I am not going to ease my way into old age’

‘The startling realisation that I am not going to ease my way into old age’

"I am angry, frustrated, and sad. I feel like a different person. My freedom is diminished."

What to do when the garden is all that remains? Source: Getty Images

‘A simple garden forged lasting friendships, but now it’s all that remains’

‘A simple garden forged lasting friendships, but now it’s all that remains’

"I don't know if any of us will plant the garden next year. It will never be the same, of course."

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