Thanks to MEA alum Bob Cavnar for turning me onto this story of how one Mexican community is now creating “Quinceañera de Oro” events for older, working-class women who never had the opportunity to experience their “coming out” party. This new tradition, which is six years old, allows more than 150 women ages 65 and up to twirl across the dance floor, bouquets in hand, to a traditional Quinceañera waltz. This is so inspiring as it gives these women—who often spend this time of their life caregiving others—the opportunity to be embraced by society at a new stage of life, a time when many of them feel invisible.
Of course, regardless of where you live, midlife and later life deserve new rituals. Many midlife women are starting to do menopause rituals. Empty nest parents are doing a reverse version of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (the parents will play once the kids are away). We’ll be announcing the winner of MEA’s “Life Begins @ 50” contest around mid-month.
Let’s get creative. Send me a few ideas of other new adult rituals that can be a means to show community support to people going through a pivotal life transition. You also might enjoy this video of a 50-year-old Mexican woman who was surprised with a Quinceañera.
-Chip