She enjoyed being with her son, Jefferson, her friends, and her animals. She worked constantly around the world, won an Oscar® for Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, and was nominated for five other films. “In 25 years, weren’t you attracted to a man, or pursued by one?” Each woman feels her current partner is her beshert-Yiddish for “destined mate”-and that all her experiences, past relationships, and heartbreak were necessary to prepare her for this union.įor 25 years, Ellen Burstyn did not go out on a date. There’s less drama, they report, and more peace. Most see their relationship as a spiritual practice, an opportunity to work on hurtful patterns and expand their capacity to forgive. At the same time, they’d done inner work that enabled them to feel worthy of love, ready to accept a man as he is and be accepted unconditionally by him. They all relished their independence and had come to terms with the fact that they might never find another mate. What surprised me was that the women’s stories were remarkably similar. And I wanted to explore whether this kind of love happens because of luck, karma, or accident, or if there are interior changes one can make or steps one can take to connect with a partner at any age. Jane Fonda, 69, recently started a relationship with Lynden Gillis, 75, a retired management consultant, and wants to make a “sexy erotic movie about people over 70.”Īs I listened to these stories, I felt.hope. But during the past month, I’ve talked to a dozen women, ranging from their late 40s to their 90s, who’ve found deep love-a soul mate-long after they thought that was possible.Įllen Burstyn was alone for 25 years before she fell in love, at 71, with the man with whom she now lives, who is 23 years younger. This depresses me, and I wonder if my mother’s experience was a fluke. When I go to parties or events, there are 13 single women and one single guy, and he’s usually gay. I’m afraid that in my 60s, after two divorces, such love may be behind me, as the pickings get slimmer every year. But sometimes I ache for a partner to check in with, talk, snuggle, and grow spiritually with. I love my house, my work, and my kids, and every day I’m grateful for good health and what I see as a fortunate life. I’ve been unattached for seven years and have become very good at it. They’re still devoted to each other as my mother moves into her 90s, which fills me with awe. She asked if he wanted to play, and they became inseparable. A widow for nine years, she spotted Harold Lapidus, a retired doctor, standing alone at a bridge club. My mother met the love of her life when she was 84. Just ask actress Ellen Burstyn and a host of other women who found themselves in the heat of romance when they least expected it. Whether you're 35 or 75, it's never too late to fall madly (or gently and even sacredly) in love.

A little a lot madly short film