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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

Power through: Hillary’s example

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the deadly September attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. (Pablo Monsivais / Associated Press)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the deadly September attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. (Pablo Monsivais / Associated Press)

As baby boomers glide into their 60s and remain in their jobs a lot longer than their parents did, I predict a fairly macho attitude toward sick days. Older workers are more prone to the ailments that can afflict older people in general. Back troubles, heart issues, cancers that inconvenience you but don't kill you.

Hillary, 65, looked pretty darn good this morning testifying in front of Congress. Less than a month ago, they were shrinking a clot from her brain.

She's tough. This we know. But again, I predict aging boomers in the workplace will be more like Hillary than like the stereotype of older people complaining all the time about their ailments. And Hillary likely discovered long ago what my 50-something friends and I often talk about.

Your aches and pains disappear (for the most part) when you are totally absorbed in a work project. It's a health  treatment, without side effects, that you don't even pay for.

(AP photo)



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.