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Laura W.'s avatar

Thanks for the book recommendation! I actually have been wondering about the topic of the next few generations of elderly people. I need a book that discusses it. Thank you!

I don't know much about big whoops right now because everything the last few weeks feels like a big deal from losing my wallet to having to put my cat down tomorrow morning most likely. Everything feels heavy at the moment. I'm just glad it's my silly life and not my mood disorder for once lol...

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Nancyjean's avatar

so sorry about your cat. that is ALWAYS a big whoop

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Jen Zug's avatar

I'm sorry about your cat! That IS a big whoop! :(

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

I try to live by the small whoop because unless there’s a catastrophe everything can be a little whoop. Great piece.

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Nicole Steinbok's avatar

This essay is a big whoop of goodness. Very lovely story and writing. Thank you!

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Beth Lisogorsky's avatar

Big whoops suck. And now I know people don’t talk at bus stops in Seattle. What a bummer!

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Jen Zug's avatar

We are dark and twisty people out here, though that is changing as our city grows.

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Tom Pendergast's avatar

As I get older I have a lot less Big Whoops and a lot more simple pleasures. And you’re right: that’s a great book. I recommend it to anyone who finds themselves having to look mortality in the eye.

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Jen Zug's avatar

It's one of the many things I love about getting older!

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Nancyjean's avatar

I always remind myself that, "it's not going to change the history of the free world," and find a way to make the best of whatever wrinkle has come my way.

As i look back at my life, I really don't think I've had a lot of 'big whoops' to even concern myself with, especially as compared to others

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Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Beautifully written. I loved "midwestern folksy hypnosis."

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Jen Zug's avatar

Thank you for noticing that phrase - I was very pleased with myself! :)

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Mary Hutto Fruchter's avatar

Love this! Last week, I big whooped over work politics - and then I wondered, why???? I also big whooped over my son not getting in the kitchen fast enough to do the dishes. I am going to try to only whoop for joy this week and save the big whopping for the actual big whoops.

Holding you and your family close through the waiting - wishing for a giant no big whoop

I’m awed and grateful that you can write so clearly and engagingly amidst that uncertainty

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Jen Zug's avatar

Thank you. Writing through the uncertainty is how I start to make sense of it.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

Perhaps this is why the research indicates folks in their 70’s are the happiest - they give less Big Whoops. I agree Jen, they can be exhausting! I’m thankful to have shifted to a place where my whoops are less frequent. I find it difficult to be around people who are turning little things into bigger things making life difficult so I indirectly relate to your office politics comment.

Being Mortal should be mandatory reading for all adults, a great recommendation.

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Jen Zug's avatar

If we still have good health, I can see why we'd be happiest in our 70s!

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Katharine Strange's avatar

"in retrospect they weren't such big whoops after all." Love that! Isn't it funny how much time we run around trying to change our life circumstances when it turns out the thing we need to change is our own perspective?

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