Illustration by David Cowles
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Six-Word Memoirs: Milestone Birthdays
By Larry Smith, July & August 2009
Milestone birthdays—in half a dozen words
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Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to tell a story in only six words. Papa came back swinging with "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Good stuff.
Years later, SMITH Magazine, the online community I founded for personal storytelling, posed a similar challenge: Can you tell your life story in six words? Tens of thousands of people responded, and the six-word memoir was born. We published our favorites in a book, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure (Harper, 2008), the first in a series.
Now we're bringing the joy of six to AARP The Magazine. In each print issue and online we'll feature a theme and challenge you to tell a story about it in half a dozen words. If we publish yours, we'll also print it on a T-shirt for you.
To get you started, here are a few favorites from the book.
Fifty, what the hell, just jump!
Sandy Humphrey, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
22 years working for the state of Oklahoma
Slow learner: Life began at 50.
Arnold Simon, Atlanta, Georgia
former graphic designer, college instructor, and art critic; currently unemployed
Barbie doesn't look 50, like me!
Laura Kahn, Princeton, New Jersey
former high-school varsity cheerleader, now a registered nurse
Defined at 21. Redefined at 57.
Beverly Levine, Truro, Nova Scotia
rug-hooking enthusiast
Nearing 60, still on rough draft.
Sydney Smith Zvara, Snoqualmie, Washington
health care association executive whose "life has been a series of fortunate do-overs"
Sixty. Still haven't forgiven my parents.
Russel Fershleiser, New York, New York
former professor, now a consultant in management and employee development
Age 70. Sexy dreams. What's next?
Rivka Levy, Salt Lake City, Utah
retired teacher, now an Alzheimer's caregiver
Yoga, meditation, workouts, art. 75. Strong.
Bee Colman, Venice, California
grandparent, artist, retired art professor, lover of music and movies
Zero to 60 and still accelerating.
Shelia Diaz, Los Angeles, California
teaching since 1974 and writing poetry since age nine
Sixty years pissin' in the breeze.
Brandon Santos, Dixon, New Mexico
self-employed jeweler, furniture maker, contractor, plasterer, goat farmer, brewmaster, painter, and actor
Sexy at 60, going for 70.
Lou Ann Roth, Alameda, California
retired civil service employee, now golfing, sailing, and teaching water fitness at the YMCA
Larry Smith ("Now I obsessively count the words") is the editor, with Rachel Fershleiser, of Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure and Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak (Harper, 2009).
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