Mary Hamblen was still able to drive a car until her early 90s. It’s one of the things she misses most now that she’s 98. Her attitude is that it’s just something you have to deal with. Home is now an assisted living facility where she says she’s pampered and she’s happy. She’s losing her eyesight because of macular degeneration but still enjoys reading on her Kindle.

That positive attitude is how Mary views her entire life and can serve as an inspiration to all of us. She told me she’d had a good life with ups and downs. That’s life, she said, and you take it as it is.

In our conversation about aging, she talked about some of the ups and downs of her life and shared some stories about growing up and spending most of her life in Westbrook Maine. And she told the story of that last car she drove. Scroll down and you’ll see a picture of a car just like it and then enjoy our conversation.

Listen to my conversation with Mary

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Read a transcript of our conversation

Some pictures

Mary Hamblen's late husband/Conversations About Aging
Mary’s late husband as a young man
Mary Hamblen showing quilt/Conversations About Aging
Mary showing off the exquisite quilt her mother made
1998 gold Jaguar
1998 Gold Jaguar. Not Mary’s car, but exactly like hers

Who’s next?

Conversations About Aging airs every other Monday. My next conversation is with Bill Taylor, a retired doctor and former windsurfing champion. At 96, he’s still very active and still learning new things.

Suggestions?

If you have any suggestions for people I should consider interviewing or you’re aware of a helpful aging resource in your community, let me know. In addition to the podcast, I intend to blog about what various communities, organizations, and individuals are doing to provide age-friendly services, support, and connection here in Maine. The best way to get in touch is to send me an email. Thank you!

Please share the podcast with friends, family, on social media, everywhere. You’re also welcome to become a member of our Facebook group Conversations About Aging.