Much research has documented the importance of social connections, especially friendships, as we age. A 90th birthday party showed that in action.Beverly Isaacman calls three friends every morning when she wakes up to check that they’re all OK.
But my grandma is lucky. Beverly has lived in the same town she grew up in, and many in her circle haven’t left. Between lots and lots of phone calls, she fills her time with friends she’s known forever, and friends she’s made along the way. At 90 years old, my grandma maintains a busier social calendar than any 20-something I know.
We invited neighbors who have surrounded her with support, and people she interacts with at restaurants, Jewish community events and more. Beverly celebrated 90 with two third grade classmates, one junior high friend and a couple friends from high school. Before she arrived, our family covered the party room in lavender linens and 90th birthday confetti. We arranged family photos and set out a birthday book for guests to sign. We tied a bow on her chair and laid in front of it a tiara and a sparkly sash that read “90 & fabulous.”
Laughter echoed through the room as friends and family weaved in and out of hugs and hello’s. Many of my grandma's friends shared how glad they were to have each other; to be able to look after each other and keep each other young.and sense of meaning as we grow older. Much research has documented the importance of social connection as we age, and ties with friends are just as important as ties with family.