We recently issued a challenge on Next Avenue's Facebook page:  Write your memoir in just six words.
The reaction was stunning. Hundreds of responses flooded in. The pithy life stories our readers shared with us ranged from humorous to wistful. Some even moved us to tears.
Below are a few of our favorites, just a small slice of the the wisdom, joy and wit our readers have to share with the world. We hope you enjoy them and, if you haven't already, we welcome you to go to our Facebook page and add yours to the list.
Memoirs in Six Words
“Bone marrow donor, bone marrow recipient.” —Jennifer R.
“I almost gave up, but didn't.” —D.B.
“Lesson, after lesson, after lesson, ahhhhhhh.” —Patricia W.
“I saved the best for last!!” —Janet H.
“I hope I made a difference.” —Randy B.
“Childhood, darkness, struggle, growth, peace, wisdom.” —Sally W.
“My daughter's death changed me forever.” —Sharyn O.
“Acts of kindness will live on.” —Lee H.
“Every day is another. Keep moving.” —Anne D.
“The best is yet to come . . .” —W.E.
“Learning to breathe is the solution.” —Debra M.
“Time flew faster than I'd planned.” —Tori T.
“Living life. Learned much. What's next?” —Barbara H.
“I took the road less traveled.” —Al M.
“Been there, done that, ate it.” —Patti A.
“It was/is a fantastic adventure.” —Thea P.
“On with the next fascinating journey.” —Carole K.
“Difficult at times, but worth it.” —Pam H.
“Things didn't go as expected. That's fine.” —Laurene M.
“Wife, kids, home, health. Lucky me!” —John S.
“Experience the world every day anew!” —Diane J.
“Loved much, hurt much, still loving.” —Deda P.
“I'm happy when I make things!” —Karen J.
“Finally old enough to know better.” —Bill C.
“Kindness does not go unnoticed.” —Suzy S.
“I met him at a bar . . .” —Virginia H.
“Special needs mama, best kids ever.” —Elizabeth B.
“She fell down, but got up!” —Anne H.
“Don’t rush life. It will come.” —Peter C.
“Began again, and again, and again.” —Maria D.
“Love living single. Found my peace.” —Jo Ann S.
“Yesterday, three children. Now only two.” —Tammy F.
“Got knocked down. Got back up.” —Mary H.
“Love deeply. Work hard. Be kind.” —Laura M.
“I lived a life of curiosity.” —Nancy L.
“Have been on a great adventure.” —Joanne B.
“Life is uncertain. Eat dessert FIRST!” —Brenda C.
“I am who I need be.” —Michael C.
“I learned from pain. I grew.” —Jill W.
“It was a roller coaster. Exhilarating.” —Maria G.
“It didn't go as planned. Fine.” —Maura G.
“There is much more to come.” —Thomas T.
“Lived life out loud. Brave. Adventurous.” —Brenda H.
“Challenges. Growth. More challenges. More growth.” —Stephanie M.
“Birth, love, marriage, family, cancer, courage.” —J. M.
“Looking behind, looking ahead, mostly good.” —Anne P.
“I learned lessons from the elders.” —Diane V.
“I’m getting better all the time!” —Kathy P.
“I became my whole self, eventually.” —Gretchen H.
“I fought breast cancer and won!” —Beth K.
“Learning love is all there is.” —Candy H.
“I truly loved all of it.” —Joseph R.


Our Challenge: Write Your Six-Word Memoir

Josh Walker

The U.S. confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus in January. Looking back, we couldn't have imagined how quickly and drastically American life would change — particularly for older adults.
Chalk art spotted on a daily walkKnowing that COVID-19 disproportionately affects people over 65, we've been working hard serving those of you who may be at risk or are caring for those who are. We've turned to medical professionals, mental health experts and thought leaders. Now, we're turning to you.
We asked our readers on Facebook to tell us what you've learned due to the pandemic, why that's been meaningful and how you're finding your own way forward. Some of you sent photos. Others inspired us with the wise, poignant and sometimes funny things you said:
Family
My 90-year-old mother-in-law lives in assisted living and hasn't come out of her room in over a month. A Great Depression baby who lived through World War II, she's sharp, healthy and doesn't complain. We can all take advice from her — she's my hero.  - Kim M., Dunlap, Ill.
"My mom is a native of Japan, lived through World War II as a child and immigrated to the U.S. in 1958. I want to give her just enough detail so she knows why I'm doing or not doing certain things — like breaking our usual rituals — but not so much that she's overwhelmed and propelled back into wartime."
- Gwen I., Buffalo, N.Y.

Our Commitment to Covering the Coronavirus

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"Our family has postponed several repairs that need to be done around the house, my son and I have postponed medical procedures and surgeries, and his dad and I have postponed the date we'll file for divorce."
- Megan B.
From reader Adrienne B: "Jack the therapy cat in grandma’s lap""I'm 84 and I live 200 miles away from my family. If you don't connect with your family, now is the time to start. They will be healthier and happier if you do."
- Carolyn W., Pismo Beach, Calif.
"I'm fortunate in that, while both sons live out of the area, we Zoom weekly and text nearly every day."
- Freda G.
"My mother's birthday is today. I have not seen her since mid-March. She has hearing and vision deficiencies. I know she asks for me; it's very sad."
- Lynn C.
Caregiving
"I've been going back and forth to visit my husband at a rehab facility. He's recovering from a brain biopsy which proved to be cancer. It's a scary situation. What if his treatment is delayed? What if it blows through the rehab center before he comes home?"
- Janie R., Dallas
"I am a caregiver. Today, one of my clients said to me, 'You are a breath of fresh air, just having you here to talk to me.' She's 102 and still lives at home. Her kind words made my day, but also show how lonely older adults can be."
- Jeanne H., Akron, Ohio
"My husband has dementia. I pray every day for his safety. If he gets hospitalized, I'll fight to be with him."
- Bev M.
"Good thing my mom lives with me, so I can keep an eye on her. I don't want to see her get ill; she's my favorite woman in the world."
- Lily O., Pomona, Calif.
Grief and Loss
From her home, reader Melissa H. gazes down at the Adirondack Mountains "with fond memories of a life well walked.""Mom was buried early. No service, no flowers, only five people permitted. I managed to buy some flowers at the local grocery store. We will do what she had planned, later. Mom grew up during the days of isolating due to polio. She would understand."
- Holly A.
"I am missing my grief group during this time. Some had become good friends."
- Rose T., Bloomington, Minn.
"We just lost our aunt on Friday. The last of her generation, she leaves a big hole in our hearts."
- Kathleen F.
"If you can't attend a service in person, send a card to the family, sharing how their loved one impacted your life and what wonderful memories you have of times spent with them."
- Shirley U., Fairmont, Minn.
Daily Life
"I follow Native American traditions, so my spiritual practices haven't changed. Mother Earth is still Mother Earth and my 'church' is still among the Standing People and the Four- and Two-Legged. My prayers are always for the health, safety and education of all. May we all have an 'attitude of gratitude' and follow the good red road."
- Melissa H., Niskanunya, N.Y.
"I color my hair every five weeks to keep it red. I get my nails done every three weeks. It's always kept my spirits up. Now I am so depressed. I can't wait until this is over."
- Lynn P.
Work
"My small business is devastated by the coronavirus, since it helps seniors and families find assisted living or memory care. God only knows what the outcome of this is going to be."
- Cheryl C., Campbell, Calif.
Handmade mask by reader Wendy F."Have to keep going to work, but feeling very anxious there, because of where it is — not quite 'on the front lines' but essential. There is lots of attention given to nurses and doctors, and rightfully so, but I hope people also remember the support staff."
- Denise J.
"I'm a psychotherapist and have been using FaceTime with some of my clients. It seems to be helping them, but it's not the same as in-person."
- Patricia S., Silver Spring, Md.
Acts of Kindness
"I put money as store credit at our local pet food store for a neighbor who didn't have money to buy it. My reward is knowing her pets have their proper food."
- Dolly S.
"I am 78. I sit at my sewing machine and make masks for friends, neighbors and relatives. I mail them all over. It gives me purpose and I hope it helps. I feel useful."
- Ann P.
"One of my golf partners is in complete seclusion. So, I decided to perk him up. Got lunch at his favorite, Texas Roadhouse, delivered it to his home and then I FaceTimed him from the car. Had a good talk and great burger."
- Lloyd K., Le Claire, Iowa
"My entire career was spent working with the have-nots, the disenfranchised, the often invisible. Yet it has taken the current situation to bring this simple truth to my attention in a deep and profound way: There are people who care about others, and there are people who don't."
- Renee M., Effort, Pa.
Finding the Silver Linings 
Sanibel Island sunset by reader Cyndilu L."For my anxiety and depression, I've found getting out to walk on good-weather days really helps, even if it's just around the neighborhood."
- Theresa H., San Francisco
"The Virginia bluebells I planted. Reminds me that planting is a statement of faith and hope for the future."
- Melissa S.
"By the time this crisis ends I might get caught up on laundry."
- Carol N.
"Since my gym is closed, I took up jogging. I don't go far, but I'm going to work up to it over time."
- Kim W., Des Plaines, Ill.
"I have been calling people. Relatives I haven't talked to in a very long time. Casual acquaintances I wouldn't normally call. How are you doing? How are you holding up? How do you get groceries? What are you doing to occupy your time?"
- Nancy K., Royal Oak, Mich.
"I'm learning that I am very rich in ways that have absolutely nothing to do with money."
- Mollie H., Guadalupe, Calif.
Some comments have been edited for length and clarity.


From Our Readers: Persevering in the Pandemic

Sabrina Crews

I am 69. I ran my first triathlon when I was 59, and as of August 2019, I will have competed in 50 triathlons. (A triathlon typically consists of running, cycling and swimming.)
My first running race, the Hudson Relay, was in 1972 during my senior year in college in Cleveland. In August 2018, I returned to Cleveland — a mere 46 years later — to participate in the USA Triathlon Nationals for triathletes from across the country. I’d call it an athletic bookend, but I’m not done competing.
I had never been an athlete before. In fact, I still somewhat joke about how great it was that when I was growing up there were no sports programs for females and no Title IX, so I didn’t have decades of abusing my body, sports-wise, as many men have.
I learned how to swim when I was 6, bike when I was, probably, 8, and started very low-level jogging sometime in my 40s. When I say low-level, I mean jogging maybe 50 yards, then walking.
So what if I started at 59? Take this to the bank: It's never too late.
So how did I morph from being an overweight widow, whose jogging was more like walking than anything else, to a triathlete? It probably sounds disingenuous to say it just happened — but that’s actually the truth.
In my desire to date again after my husband died, I started dieting and doing minimal exercises at home, so I could feel good about what I looked like. I was 57. So, I had already started eliminating the overweight part.
Inspired by a Gift
I signed up for my first triathlon after a friend bought me a racing bike. I don’t know where the thought came from, but when he bought me the bicycle, I said to him: “Great, now I can do triathlons.”
I hadn’t contemplated doing even one — I had only run a couple of 5K races in 2007 and 2008. My office liked to participate in the Race for the Cure (the Susan G. Komen series of 5K fundraising runs and walks for breast cancer) and I thought: “Hmmm, I can do that.”
Up until a couple of years ago (when I went through an awful saga of dealing with two pinched nerves in my back and sciatic leg pain, which precluded walking, let alone running in a race), I would compete in about 12 races a year; seven running and five triathlons. “How else,” I’d ask friends, tongue firmly in cheek, “could I collect a dozen new T-shirts every year?” The wryest of them would say: “Um, at a store.”
Even with my back problem, the severe leg pain happened between triathlon seasons. So, while I didn’t train much during that time, I still kept up with five triathlons every season — and have no real end in sight.
Susan Paisner competing in a racePassing and Getting Passed
At Nationals last year, I ran past an 88-year-old woman. How did I know how old she was? Because in triathlons, your age is written in marker on your left calf. One upshot of this is that I’m often the oldest woman in the race and hordes of young’uns run past me delivering affirmations as they go: “You’re awesome!” “You’re an inspiration!” “I want to be as active as you when I’m your age!”
I’ll admit, it’s rather sweet. But even sweeter is running past men and women younger than me. Because, you see, while I hardly qualify as an elite competitor, I have never, ever, come in last.
I didn’t train for my first triathlon; I figured I knew how to swim and bike and could handle the 5K. My biggest stumbles had to do with the transition periods between each of the three events and not wearing the right clothes. (Hint: don’t wear cotton, because it holds on to your sweat and becomes a wet towel).
What I've Learned
Initially, I actually changed my clothes after the swim and before the bike portions of the race! Dumb, unnecessary and hugely time-consuming.
These days, depending on where the transition area is relative to where we swim, I take two to three minutes to get from swimming to biking. In my first triathlon — when I changed my clothes in the port-o-john — I took more than eight minutes. I used the port-o-john again between the bike and run for its intended purpose, and that visit took more than five minutes (versus my current, and usual, one minute or less).
Today, during my triathlons, I wear a tank top and special biking shorts (not as long in the leg and not as much padding in the seat) from beginning to end.
And I pay it forward, as much as people want, in terms of giving advice to first-timers.
Having done this for 10 years, I am now well cross-trained and don’t think about what I do as being an “endurance” sport. I work out five to six times a week.
In warm weather, I mainly bike (usually about 20 miles) and run (3+ miles), with occasional swimming. In the cold months, I mostly run and swim.
Happy With the Results
All of this working out results in a body I’m proud of — and to be blunt, a body that men like. As I’m fond of saying regarding being a triathlete, I love the returns. All of them.
My just-retired favorite doctor and I once had a conversation about quality of life. He said, “There’s what you get, your genetic inheritance; there’s what you opt to do with it and there’s that third thing that you have no control over.”
I’m living the hell out of my life and taking every advantage possible of the genetic gifts my parents gave me. So what if I started at 59? Take this to the bank: It’s never too late.
But I’ll easily admit that when people ask me my favorite part of a triathlon, my answer is always: “The finish.”


Morphing from Infrequent Exerciser to Triathlete

Susan Paisner

As a devoted autism parent, Holly Robinson Peete was instantly smitten by the vulnerability and honesty that is conveyed by the cast members in the reality dating series, "Love on the Spectrum."
Abbey and David on a date in Netflix's Love on the SpectrumA mom of four, including R.J., (her 26-year-old son with autism), she could easily identify with many of the parents and caregivers in the series.
"We are extremely happy to shine a light on people who aren't often represented in the media,"
In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month in April, Peete recently joined "Love on the Spectrum" cast members and series creator Cian O'Clery to help announce the Season 3 renewal of the popular Netflix series. She shares why she thinks this heartwarming show is so meaningful to adults with autism and their parents, caregivers and extended families.
"I am a huge fan of 'Love on the Spectrum' because there is so much to admire about the show," the 59-year-old Peete recently said. "I am super excited that we are getting to see more of it."
O'Clery, who started the series in Australia, says he is thrilled to be embarking on the next season of the U.S. show. Filming for Season 3 is expected to start later this year, with several familiar cast members from previous seasons and a few new ones.
"We are extremely happy to continue to shine a light on people who aren't often represented in the media," O'Clery said. "We love being able to introduce our audience to these fabulous people, and their families, and their search for love."
Holly Robinson Peete and Cian O'Clery during a Love on the Spectrum screening in California.He appreciates that these are real people telling their stories in their own voices. "We love seeing the series being so well received and so well loved by audiences, critics and the participants themselves; the actual cast is the most important part of this experience to us."
Peete said that she enjoyed "picking Cian's brain," and telling him how much the show means to her. "I loved talking about both seasons and how involved and invested I am in the show."
"Love on the Spectrum" shows the cast members on their well-planned dates to restaurants, museums, parks, picnics and even an English tea house. Like any first or subsequent date, the participants are getting to know one another and discovering their commonalities in the hopes of finding a lasting relationship.
All of their excitement and fear about this giant leap is relatable. The added angst is that many of them lack the social skills, communication skills or a road map to pursue their first, or subsequent, romantic relationship.
"I think that as the show pertains to falling in love, it shows that people with autism are capable of loving and having romantic relationships." 
Cast members include Dani, who owns a Los Angeles-based animation company, James of Boston, Tanner from Clemson, South Carolina, Journey who is a native of Chicago, Connor from outside Atlanta, and Steve from San Francisco who is dating for the first time in his mid-60s, which presents its own challenges. (Netflix only uses first names of the cast members in the series).
While Peete acknowledges that her son R.J. has overcome many social and other hurdles, including long-term successful employment with the L.A. Dodgers, one item still on his list is dating and having a meaningful romantic relationship.
Having Romantic Relationships 
In fact, ever since she first watched the series, she began thinking about what it would be like if R.J. became a member of the cast but he is not interested.
Connor out on a date in Love on the Spectrum"I am bummed about it because I want him to find love," said Peete. "This is one of the areas where he struggles and as such it is a goal I have for him. I think that as the show pertains to falling in love, it shows that people with autism are capable of loving and having romantic relationships." 
Another appealing aspect of the show are the values of kindness and caring that cast members have revealed over the last two seasons. Instead of more modern-day dating, they are also courting one another by bringing flowers or small token gifts to some of the dates.
"For me, the beauty of the stories is the purity and the truth in which the cast members express themselves," Peete said. "They don't always know the nuances of life, but they come with such a high level of purity and also with no judgment and no games." 
The Central Role of Parents 
The extended family members are a central part of the show, especially the parents and caregivers. Peete said that she and Connor's mom, Lise Smith, became fast friends. "I enjoyed connecting with his mom; we are like two peas in a pod," Peete said. "While we were sharing stories it was like we had been friends forever." 
"I cried when I was listening to Connor talk to the producers about being lonely, and his emotional reaction to seeing happy couples in the grocery store where he works."
His mom said she had spent her time and energy focused on her son's social skills, interrupting his stimming behavior (repetitive movements or noises), making sure he received his high school diploma and helping him secure a job.
But she sheepishly admits, "I didn't think for one second about his romantic life. We have a large blended family of six children and I thought I had the whole person covered."
After the family watched the series in 2019, Connor's younger brother reached out to the show. Connor told the producers in Season 2 that being single makes him feel left out, especially because all of his siblings are in significant relationships. He added that he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life alone.
Connor reluctantly went to a speed dating event during Season 2 of "Love on the Spectrum" and met a girl named Emily with whom he went on several dates.
Connor greets his date in Love on the Spectrum"I cried when I was listening to Connor talk to the producers about being lonely, and his emotional reaction to seeing happy couples in the grocery store where he works," his mom said. "We are at the point that even if it doesn't work out on "Love on the Spectrum," we are going to help make this work for him."
Smith believes that the show "raises awareness and acceptance for all of us. I hope that it means more opportunities for Connor and his peers. I hope it is opening eyes; especially of an employer who will see these beautiful minds and accept that they use a unique lens on the world. Let's dive deeper," she said.
Encouragement and Independence 
When asked how "Love on the Spectrum" has changed Connor and his future outlook, his mom says that he is "very optimistic and happier. He is more confident and grounded. Six months ago, a few grocery store customers were complaining that he sang to himself in the parking lot and it made them nervous; now they want to take selfies with him," said Smith.
"But more importantly," she stresses, "they can see his mind may work differently from others, but the series is a validation for all of us who have neurodivergent children that it's not just us; we are all in this together."
Peete says during the recent Netflix announcement for Season 3 she had the opportunity to swap stories with several of the cast members, including Abbey and David, who met during Season 1 of "Love on the Spectrum" and are seriously dating. They call one another "the best boyfriend and the best girlfriend ever."
Abbey and David on safari in Netflix's Love on the SpectrumThe relationship has progressed to the point that, during Season 2, David presented her with a "special surprise" when he invited Abbey, her mother, Christine, and his sisters to experience an African safari, and O'Clery and his crew were there to document their adventures.
During the show, Abbey's mom said how much her daughter has progressed since she began dating David two years ago. "As her mom, and I think I speak for a lot of parents; we worry that they will be alone, or will I have to take care of her for the rest of my life?" As a result of having a loving relationship with David, she added, "I feel like [Abbey] is going to launch. It rocks you to your core when they win."
"As her mom, and I think I speak for a lot of parents; we worry that they will be alone, or will I have to take care of her for the rest of my life?"  
Among the major topic of conversation between the parents, both during the episodes and afterward, is the importance that is placed on encouragement, and, ultimately, independence.
"Whenever you see the involvement from the families it becomes something that we can all relate to," Peete said. "I love seeing people respond to the show, and not just those who have a loved one on the spectrum, or those who are curious, but regular folks, too."
For Autism Acceptance Month, Peete also spoke of her 26th Annual Design Care event through her charitable HollyRod Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband, Rodney, a former NFL quarterback.
Peete knows the importance of encouragement, inclusion and fostering independence in children and adults with autism and other special needs. The event, taking place in L.A. on July 20, will honor author and poet Morgan Harper Nichols, as well as KultureCity, a company that provides autism sensory rooms and kits to sports stadiums and concert halls around the nation. 
She noted that when it comes to young adults with autism, added support can be instrumental in making positive strides in their lives. "I know that it can be extremely difficult to 'navigate that support cliff.'"
Peete says when it comes to her friends' sons and daughters on the autism spectrum who are actively looking for a relationship, "Love on the Spectrum" reveals that it can happen, and it does happen.
"Until you can see it, you might always have that doubt in your mind that it could even be possible," Peete said. "I appreciate that 'Love on the Spectrum' highlights the possibilities of love."
Seasons 1 and 2 of "Love on the Spectrum" are available for streaming on Netflix.


How 'Love on the Spectrum' Highlights the Possibilities of Love

Debra Wallace

When PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff announced over a year ago that she planned to pause her anchoring duties to travel the country as a reporter, she knew the move might be misconstrued.
Judy Woodruff"I wanted to make it clear that I wasn't stepping off the edge of the earth," she laughs. "A lot of people assume when you make a change like that, you're ending your career."
If anything, Woodruff's work has only intensified since. So far, she's visited 16 states and produced 27 stories, including a one-hour primetime special, for her NewsHour series "America at a Crossroads." Convinced that America's fractured political climate is better understood outside of Washington, Woodruff aims to meet with and listen to as many people as possible about the state of our country. 
"As a political reporter, I have never seen us this divided," Woodruff, 77, tells Next Avenue. "And the answers are even more complex and multi-layered than we knew."
Woodruff has hit the road again this election year after a slight setback: she injured herself in January following a weeklong ski trip. "The skiing went great," Woodruff explains with a chuckle, "then I got back to my study and slipped on some papers." She's kept up the work, but wasn't actually able to run through an airport again — "which was my M.O. in 2023" — until last month.
Her itinerary includes Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and the South. She'll delve into faith and religion,  immigration, gun control, what's on the minds of Republicans and Democrats as they confront their national conventions, and even how politics affects modern dating. Additionally, Woodruff — whose son Jeffrey was born with spina bifida — hopes to spend more time covering disability issues with the NewsHour series "Disability Reframed."
"As a political reporter, I have never seen us this divided."
Though she planned to switch to reporting for "a couple of years, at least," actually doing it, Woodruff says, felt emotional. "When you add it all up, I've been at NewsHour for twenty-seven years," she explains. "In my eleven years of anchoring, there was an essential connection between me, the audience and the program. It was in my DNA." In 2013, two years after NewsHour co-founder and journalism titan Jim Lehrer stepped down, PBS named Woodruff and Gwen Ifill co-anchors and managing editors. They made history as the first women co-hosts of a national evening newscast. 
Woodruff became NewsHour's sole anchor after Ifill died in November 2016, just days after Donald J. Trump won the U.S. election. "It was a big loss," Woodruff says of her colleague and dear friend. "Gwen was the ultimate professional and truly an icon. I'm sure she would've brought insight and wisdom to some of these tough questions we've been dealing with as journalists — and fresh thinking."
Gwen Ifill and Judy WoodruffWoodruff realizes those questions won't be answered with a single "Aha!" moment and are unlikely to go away any time soon. Still, as she states below in her own words — which have been edited for length and clarity — she's committed to exploring solutions, and assures us that she'll continue reporting and contributing to journalism "for as long as I can into the future."
America at a Crossroads
It is a massive undertaking, trying to represent America, 331 million people. So we at NewsHour are trying to be as thoughtful as we can in going to as many different parts of the country as we can, talking to as many different kinds of communities as we can. We've spoken with Democrats. We've spoken with two-time Trump voters. We've been to the panhandle of Texas; the place where I was born, Tulsa, Oklahoma; rural Mississippi. 
We've been to Steubenville, Ohio, a small city that was once the bustling center of the steel industry in America, but has since fallen on hard times economically. We talked to people there at, of all things, a food bank. Even though many of the people we spoke with were employed, they still did not have enough money to cover all their expenses. And so we had some candid conversations with them about how they view American politics, how many of them feel forgotten by Washington. 
Frankly, there are also voters in America's inner-cities who feel they've been neglected. It's not just rural Americans or small-town Americans in the Midwest, like Steubenville. It's Americans in big cities like Chicago and Los Angeles. 
What's Driving Our Political Divisions?
I went into this realizing it was a massive question. In fact, it's a complex, layered phenomenon. 
The nature of our division currently goes back a couple of decades, when we started seeing in American politics the personal blame game. One example I cite is when Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the House of Representatives in the early nineties, and Bill Clinton had issued some of his legislative priorities. Gingrich and his team essentially said, 'It's all bad for the country.' And we were off to the races. 
"I do know this isn't something that's just going to go away with a wave of a hand — or with one election."
Since then, we've just seen a lot of demonizing of one party against the other, people looking down on those who vote for the other party. There's this animosity, this set of negative feelings we are still struggling to understand. 
There are, too, divisions within each of the two parties that reflect just how far apart they have drifted. In particular, the positions championed by former President Trump represent a sea change in the GOP since Ronald Reagan was president. Democrats have their own divisions over issues, from immigration to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
We take these rifts seriously, but have decided to mainly focus on the even deeper, more widespread divides between the "right" and the "left" in America.
I've also spoken with sociologists who talk about how we have now 'on-boarded' our political identity — it's become a bigger part of Americans' personal identity. People used to get to know each other based on 'Where'd you grow up?' and 'Tell me about your family.' Whereas today, so often it's 'Okay, are you an R or a D?' And if you're one or the other, then 'I really don't want to have anything to do with you.' 
"We have now 'on-boarded' our political identity."
I do know this isn't something that's just going to go away with a wave of a hand — or with one election. I think it's very likely to stick around for a while. And I see a lot of efforts around the country to alleviate it, to get people to talk to each other, to sit down over a beer or a cup of coffee with somebody in the other party. They're just not moving the needle at the national level yet. 
Disability Reframed
My husband and I have a son who has disabilities. He's now an adult and because of his situation, I've long been interested in the challenges facing people with disabilities. So when the opportunity arose to cover disability issues for NewsHour, even though it was the same time as 'America at a Crossroads,' I said, 'I really would love to do this.' I'm very, very proud of the work we've done with 'Disability Reframed.' Our coverage includes how climate change risks affect people with disabilities, why the Department of Labor is reviewing a policy that allows workers with disabilities to make less than the federal minimum wage, and what's behind the shortage of workers who support people with disabilities. I hope to continue those stories. 
"I'm interested in knowing how people view the United States, its role in the world, their role as citizens."
There is just no end. I must hear every single week — for a while, I heard almost every day — from people who suggest stories to cover in the disability area. And I keep track of all those. I have a file of suggestions that just gets higher and higher. I encourage anybody who has suggestions to please send them to us.
Anchoring vs. Reporting
After I announced that I would be stepping aside from the anchor desk, people would come up to me, or they would email, and say, 'Oh, I see you've retired,' or 'You've slipped into the land of travel and comfort.' So I would very patiently and politely say, 'Thank you, but no, that's not what I'm doing. I'm still working.'
And I've always loved reporting. I loved anchoring because it allowed me to have a role in every story of import and interest and to play that role, have that connection with the audience, every weeknight on the NewsHour. 
But what I'm able to do now is just get out there — talk to people, look them in the eye, ask: What are your values? What do you think America stands for right now? What do you think the role of a citizen is? 
I'm interested in knowing how people view the United States, its role in the world, their role as citizens. I want to know why they think we're so divided, what they think about people whose political views differ from their own. The things I've wanted to do for a while are the things I'm now able to do. So, while changing roles has been emotional, it's also been very exciting.


Judy Woodruff: Seeking Solutions in a Divided America

As a child, I adored Valentine’s Day. I loved the chocolate hearts my mom slipped under my pillow, the handmade card from my grandmother and the pink-frosted cupcakes we shared at school. But by the time I hit high school, the only thing that counted as a “real” Valentine was having a boyfriend. If you had one, it was delightful. If not, there was little reason to celebrate, at least not publicly.
Looking back now, I realize how limiting my teen definition of love was. At the time, I was so intent on finding “the one” I forgot to appreciate all the other special people in my life.
Today, in my work as a career coach, I find that singular focus on finding “passion” and “purpose” in midlife often proves just as frustrating as the quest for Prince Charming.
It’s lovely to think you have the perfect career waiting to be discovered some day. But typically, there are multiple directions you could pursue with equal success. It’s only with time, experimentation and a bit of serendipity, that you discover passion for your career.
So here’s my advice in honor of Valentine’s Day: Stop focusing on finding your one true passion in your worklife. Instead, reframe and broaden your definition of passion as an acronym — P.A.S.S.I.O.N — that highlights the different ingredients you want in a career you can be passionate about.
The P.A.S.S.I.O.N Formula
Here are the variables to consider when assessing your passion profile:
P stands for people. Who are the people you want to work around? Do you prefer being around older people or children? Creative types or scientists? Introverted or outgoing personalities? The people you work with can make all the difference in the world.
A stands for activities. What types of activities do you do well, enjoy and find most meaningful? Are you someone who loves to take class and learn new things? Do you find fulfillment in mentoring new employees? Do you crave reading mystery novels in your free time? Think about the activities you enjoy both in the workplace and at home.
S stands for skills and strengths. In other words, what do you do well? Do you gravitate towards leadership roles? Are you a natural at solving relationship problems? Do you find it easy to learn new software? Chances are that you have a wide variety of skills, but it’s best to focus on the skills you most enjoy using.
S stands for settings. What types of work environments do you find most comfortable? Do you prefer a buttoned-up, corporate office or a laid-back creative setting? Are you happier working at headquarters or from home? Do you find a fast-paced workplace energizing or draining? Work environments can have an enormous impact on your day-to-day happiness.
I stands for interests. What topics and industries speak to you? Do you have deep expertise in a particular subject, such as American history, French cooking or organizational development? When considering this question, it helps to think about the books, websites and magazines you read during your free time.
Then, since you can’t earn income from your passions without a customer or employer willing to pay for your services, the last two letters of the acronym, “O” and “N” address the needs of the marketplace.
O stands for opportunities. What and where are the opportunities in the workplace for someone like you? Are there possibilities to offer your services on a project, or as a freelance or gig worker? As Aristotle once said, “Where your talents and needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.”
N stands for needs. What does the marketplace need that you would love to provide? Could your town use more day care services? Have you noticed a need for more diversity training in your industry? When you match your skills and interests to a need in the marketplace, you’ll find satisfying outlets.
A New Way to Look at Purpose
Finally, many of us think we need to work for a nonprofit or change the world in order to find purpose in our work. But bestselling author Dan Pink interestingly suggests that purpose at work can mean two different things.
There’s purpose with a capital P, he says, which means doing work that makes a difference in the world, like being a doctor or helping to solve the climate crisis. Then there’s purpose with a small “p,” which entails work that makes a contribution, such as helping to get a report out the door or leading a critical meeting. Even when you’re not changing the world, says Pink, it’s satisfying to know your input, effort and experience matters.
Ultimately, I think you’ll find that assessing your passion through the multi-faceted lens of the P.A.S.S.I.O.N formula and reframing your definition of purpose will open you up to new and exciting options.
It’s a great gift to give yourself. No expensive chocolates or roses needed.


Finding Passion and Purpose Through Work

Nancy Collamer

Some memories remain fresh for decades.
When I took my first airplane flight as a child with my father, the sky was a blanket of dark gray. As we ascended through the layers of clouds, I was gobsmacked by what suddenly appeared outside my window: the sunny blue sky! It was the first time my child-brain realized a gray sky did not mean the sun was absent — it was just hidden.
"My father was a model of optimism for nearly a century, from fighting for civil rights in the 1960s to joining a group called "Beyond War" in the 1980s to self-publishing an environmental newsletter in the 2010s."I turned to my father to share this astronomical hide-and-seek revelation, and he was amused. Together we chatted about how yes, the sun is always "above" the clouds, even on the darkest and rainiest of days. Hence, in some ways "every day is a sunny day," I surmised, and he did not disagree.
He would acknowledge the world's problems, but he would also take action with unflagging optimism for the future.
This example of my father's gentle scaffolding of my childhood reasoning and budding optimism is one of my favorite memories of him. Sadly, he passed away a couple years ago at age 92, and what I miss most is his optimism about the world even in the face of our culture's penchant for pessimism.
Let's face it: Today's "bad news" media saturation can be overwhelming — environmental degradation, political rancor, civil and religious strife, etc. But my father was a model of optimism for nearly a century, from fighting for civil rights in the 1960s to joining a group called "Beyond War" in the 1980s to self-publishing an environmental newsletter in the 2010s. He would acknowledge the world's problems, but he would also take action with unflagging optimism for the future.
Themes for an Optimistic Life 
So imagine my solace when I was going through his beloved book collection after his death and found one titled "What Are You Optimistic About? Today's Leading Thinkers Lighten Up." Edited by John Brockman, the book asks a variety of scientists and commentators what they are optimistic about in today's world.
Among its many topics, the book conveys several of my father's themes for an optimistic life:
 1) Start with gratitude
It's easy to forget all the scientific advances we take for granted. Examples include the democratization of knowledge via the internet and the significant improvements in infant mortality rates, gene research and healthy aging. When I was a kid, I fantasized about jet packs and video phones. While we're still waiting for jet packs, take a moment to appreciate FaceTime. (Indeed, my "sunshine is the default" moment would not have happened without the technological wonder of air travel.)
Vincent O'Keefe and his father, EdAs Kai Krause notes in the book, every so often be sure to re-appreciate the smartphone. In our pockets we now have our "own diviner of answers to any question, finder of any fact, in minutes or even seconds, an advisor like no Sun King or emperor, kaiser or pharaoh, could ever buy with all the gold in his empire."
2) Take the long view
Sometimes using a wider perspective can help reframe today's problems. For example, even though large-scale issues like disease, war and poverty persist, when viewed historically our era has improved in many of these departments. In the book, Chris Anderson adds that most "reporting of trends shows a world that is getting better. We live longer, in cleaner environments; we are healthier; we have access to goods and experiences that kings of old could never have dreamed of."
The long view can also help remind us of the power of human imagination. As Alison Gopnik explains, "the greatest human evolutionary advantage is our innate ability to imagine better alternatives to the current world." She notes that "everything in the room I write in now . . . was once imaginary, no more than an optimistic pipe dream."
3) Remember to laugh along the way
Robert Provine advocates an unusual, humorous mindset to help stay optimistic: "Things could always be worse." In a counterpoint to Gopnik's celebration of imagination, Provine states: "We have all heard of the 'grass is greener' syndrome. This is its 'grass is browner' counterpart, the achievable antidote for broken dreams and bolsterer of the status quo."
Provine's amusing approach reminded me of another decades-old memory, this time from my teen years. While working at a grocery store, I saw two men who looked to be in their 80s approach each other slowly. They were obviously friends because the one greeted the other by saying with a smile: "I should just tell you what doesn't hurt today!" As they laughed, I thought: That's how I'd like to be at their age! It may not have been full-throated optimism, but their interaction modeled how humor and gratitude can "bolster" the status quo.
Like light still traveling from an extinguished star, his guidance continues.
Speaking of the "status quo," however, it's important to note that optimism should never be a naïve, head-in-the-sand mindset. We are not, after all, "beyond war" as a species. And as my father's activism shows, he was usually in favor of improving the status quo. But the problems of the world can keep knocking us down if we don't find ways of picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and optimistically continuing to try to improve the world.
I'll never forget one day in my 20s when I did not yet have children. I saw one of my wife's friends with her two young daughters. The mother was a very petite woman, and the older child was already approaching the same size as her mother. Suddenly, the girl implored her mother: "Pick me up!" 
The mother grimaced and looked at me. In my surprise, all I could think to say was "what do you do when your kids get too big to pick up?" She sighed, smiled, put out her arms, clumsily raised this daughter who was almost larger than herself, and said: "You just keep picking them up."
That is how I felt upon finding my father's book about optimism. There he was, parenting me from beyond the grave, metaphorically picking me up again and pointing me in a sunnier direction. Like light still traveling from an extinguished star, his guidance continues.


My Father's Legacy of Optimism

Vincent O'Keefe

We celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary recently. If there is a thread that runs through our relationship, we've been getting lost together since 1977, when we met. Our life together has been filled with joy and wonder and heartbreak and devastation. And no matter where we go, we get lost — every time. We are the two dumbest people in the world.
"I might not recommend getting lost as a strategy for marriage success," but it does have its advantages.I attended a college yearbook workshop at Athens, Ohio University. I met my fellow workshopper at our college's journalism building that Sunday morning. He was also to be my driver to the Ohio University workshop.
Our little detour through Indy added four hours to the trip. My bad.
He wore all white, his long, thick black hair jetting out from a white cap like Bob Denver wore in "Gilligan's Island." Dirty white sneakers, white jeans and a white shirt finished the ensemble. I was not impressed. The Brooks Brothers or Bobbie Brooks of the 1970s influenced neither of us. I wore jeans, a wrinkled shirt and a red bandana over my less-than-tidy hair. We were the freaks in the Eagles' song "The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks."
His car was a 1960s model black Caddy the size of Montana. He asked me if I knew how to get to Athens, Ohio.
I mumbled, "Go through Indianapolis."
I crawled into the comfortable red leather backseat and immediately fell asleep. Through Indianapolis we went, the Caddy rolling on the open road, heading southwest to go southeast. Our little detour through Indy added four hours to the trip. My bad.
I woke up to find our driver standing outside the car, looking across the Hocking River. We had ended up on a dirt-covered access road. Across the river was the campus of Ohio University, our destination.
So close and yet so far away.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the campus; a yearbook friend I knew yelled out the window, wondering what had taken us so long.
I shouted back, "I never want to see this S.O.B. ever again," a lovely story about my triple X vocabulary that did not impress my betrothed family when someone told this story at our wedding rehearsal dinner. And this is the edited version.
Looking for America Together
Like the Simon and Garfunkel song, we married our fortunes together and spent the next four decades looking for America:
On the way to and from our honeymoon in Key West, we managed to get lost in Miami in our 1981 Chevette, landing at the same intersection twice. Or is there a Burger King at every intersection?Shuttles are the only means of transportation on Cape Canaveral tours, with multiple buses headed to the highly secure launch pad. We boarded our bus for the return trip to the entrance and took the last two seats. An exceedingly pregnant woman and her partner boarded after us and dawdled in the front, lacking seats. The driver came on the squawk box, looked directly at us, and said, "Two of you have boarded the wrong bus. Please get off and board your correct shuttle." We looked around and at each other. Did we behave graciously and leave? Of course not. We sat like the pyramids of Giza, unmoved."Do not miss the cutoff for Bedford, or you'll end up on the Big Dig," my husband said to me repeatedly as we drove to the Boston area on a late 1990s visit to my aunt and family in our hideous white Ford Windstar mini-van that was identical to the Bunny Bread mobile. Of course, I missed the exit during Friday afternoon rush hour traffic and headed right into the heart of Big Dig construction. Being distracted by the construction noise was no issue for me as the driver, but the distraught screaming from my husband and child did bother me.Lacking a Sense of Direction 
When our son brought his partner home to meet us for the first time, my husband got lost coming out of the Indianapolis airport, missed the northern cutoff, and part of Interstate 70 was redirected out on the southeast side of town about halfway to Cincinnati. The drive from the airport to the northeast side of Indy took about two hours. 
This poor woman, my son's girlfriend, had only met us on Zoom; our airport meeting was our first real introduction. What an impression we made on the new girlfriend as we screamed at other cars, at each other, circling roundabouts, many roundabouts, on the way.
We've been lost together in fifteen countries, about thirty states, and some of your finer cities.
Humans vary in their capabilities; neither my husband nor I have a good sense of direction, rather, any sense of direction. When we had an empty nest, we started traveling in Europe. We've been lost together in fifteen countries, about thirty states, and some of your finer cities: Toronto, New York, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, Dublin and Milan. We've been lost in our little town. (Never volunteer to take home extra children at a Boy Scout meeting.)
We made the mistake of leaving our Bruges, Belgium tour to see Michaelangelo's Madonna, the one hidden from the Nazis and memorialized in "The Monuments Men." The sun was so bright that we couldn't see the maps on our phones (some people don't know enough to get out of the sun.) We accidentally found the group with minutes to spare before the bus left.
Getting lost does occasionally have its advantages. Looking for a pharmacia on a rainy Venice afternoon, we saw much more of the real Venice than our tour. We crossed the same bridges twice and had an incredible lunch in a place that didn't seat more than ten.
I might not recommend getting lost as a strategy for marriage success, but here's what I've learned. Couples face many problems and challenges. Dig in together and figure it out, sometimes with screaming, sometimes with crying, sometimes with laughter. 
When we married, we were in our twenties and couldn't see farther than our next paychecks. There was no G.P.S. for marriage; we worked together and figured it out.


Lost in Love and I Don't Know Much

Amy McVay Abbott

My closest friend from junior high school is getting married, and I'm at the bridal shower, eagerly waiting for the fun to begin. It's your basic bridal shower, brimming with balloons, brightly wrapped packages and a generous gift certificate for a "Day of Beauty" at the local salon, even though the bride-to-be is beautiful just the way she is.
"Even after loss and loneliness and sorrow, life can be filled with pristine beginnings,"The mood in the room is joyful, full of animated voices, sparkling eyes, bubbling laughter. It's your basic bridal shower, unusual only in that the guest of honor is driven to the party by her strapping 40-year-old son, who is more than a little amused that his mother is getting married again. 
The room is chock full of stories, enough to fill a library or two, because the women there have done a lot of living.
"It'll be pretty awesome to go to my own mother's wedding," he tells me, one of his mom's best friends, who had felt him kick inside her burgeoning belly, who had bounced him on my knee and applauded his triumphs as he grew from frenetic toddler to high school soccer star to proud college graduate.  
A Traditional Bridal Shower
Unlike the current trend of Jack and Jill parties, where the bride and groom celebrate with male and female family members, friends and co-workers, this is your traditional bridal shower — 25 "women of a certain age" huddled together in a suburban house, peeking out the curtained windows until a green Toyota Camry drives up, and then the excited whispers, "Ssshh, she's here, it's her!" A knock at the door, the chorus of "Surprise! Surprise!," cameras catching her shock and excitement, girlish giggles as she shrieks, "Look at me, I'm not even wearing a bra!"
The room is chock full of stories, enough to fill a library or two, because the women there have done a lot of living. Some of us are married or coupled, others single by choice or by chance. Several are hoping that the fates that have smiled on the guest of honor will lead them to their own happy endings. Some, like the bride, have been previously divorced. 
"Second marriages are a triumph of optimism over experience," says one laughing woman, sporting a diamond ring the size of a sugar cube.
It's your basic bridal shower, attended by guests whose bodies have been stretched and reshaped by pregnancy, childbirth or illness, whose flaws are artfully concealed by stylish, well-chosen clothing. The women there have a total of 57 offspring, with plenty of stepchildren in the mix, and we pass around our phones, proudly showing off pictures of loved ones and precious grandchildren, interspersing the "show-and-tell" with chatter about dental implants, cataracts and our favorite recipes for banana bread and beef stroganoff.               
For some of the women, life has not been easy. (When is it ever, really?) Two women are breast cancer survivors; another lost her son in a senseless motorcycle accident. A woman with multiple sclerosis careens around the room in a red scooter, decorated today with a gigantic silver bow. Her sister, also the bride's friend, walks slowly, her body still aching from the operation which had removed a fibroid the size of a grapefruit.  
The smiles are wide, the joy is palpable. It is a celebration in the finest sense of the word.
And yet, the smiles are wide, the joy is palpable. It is a celebration in the finest sense of the word. The food is delicious — crusty bagels, tuna and pasta shells in pesto sauce, chunks of Jarlsberg cheese and salami, a salad made with crunchy purple cabbage and fennel, glistening in an olive oil and soy dressing sweetened with a touch of honey, a fruit platter overflowing with strawberries and pineapple, a huge sheet cake crowned with pink and white icing. There's red wine and white, mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice, and of course plenty of Diet Coke for those of us still trying to maintain, or recapture, our girlish figures.
It is your basic bridal shower, but the bride-to-be, rarely at a loss for words, is nearly speechless as she gazes out at the room filled with friends she has known forever: some from the Barbie and pick-up sticks and Parcheesi days, others from high school and college, the rest from a life crammed full with Lamaze classes, PTA meetings, teaching jobs and a Parents Without Partners group, where she had laughed, cried and shared dating disaster tales and her new love story as it had evolved. The room is filled with memories and hope.
A Room Filled With Memories and Hope 
In a few months, we'll be together again for the wedding . . .  cocktails and champagne, lilies and baby's breath, a towering chocolate and raspberry wedding cake, candles and music. The bride, with just a touch of cleavage peeking out, will be resplendent in an ecru, mid-length dress — simple, elegant, purchased at a frenzied bridal emporium where the twenty-five year old bridal consultant, seeing her enter the store, had looked her up and down and said cheerily, "Mother of the bride, right?"
As she walks slowly down the aisle, hand clasped tightly with that of the man she loves more than life itself, the guests will be stunned by the radiance of her smile.
"No," she had replied, conscious of the silver-gray hairs shimmering in her still lustrous chestnut mane. "I'm … I'm the bride."
As she walks slowly down the aisle, hand clasped tightly with that of the man she loves more than life itself, the guests will be stunned by the radiance of her smile, and the haunting strains of the violin accompanying the wedding processional will be punctuated by the sound of gentle weeping.
It will be your basic marriage ceremony, beginning with the age-old words of love and commitment: "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine," ending with thunderous applause during the kiss that seems to go on forever. 
The dancing will begin, the tarantella and the hora and the electric slide, and the blushing bride, her skin pink and rosy, will dance for hours, undeterred by the hot flashes that will cause dewy strands of sweat to trickle down her face. Her dapper groom, clad in a midnight blue suit and a peppermint striped tie, will ignore the twinges from his slightly arthritic knees as he whirls his new wife around the dance floor, both of them drunk with delight at being part of a couple after so many years of being alone.
It will be your basic wedding day, beautiful in its simplicity, richly textured in its complexity, a heartfelt reminder that, even after loss and loneliness and sorrow, life can be filled with pristine beginnings, wonderful and shared experiences, and the whispered promises of a bright tomorrow.


A Shower of Joy

Barbra Williams Cosentino

According to ear, nose and throat doctors, one of the most significant complaints for many people over 50 is difficulty breathing through the nose. This can result from a common condition called nasal airway obstruction (NAO), which impacts more than 20 million Americans.
The most common symptoms of NAO include trouble sleeping, difficulty breathing through your nose during exertion or exercising, nasal congestion and frequent mouth breathing.The structure and ability of the nose to do its job changes over time.
NAO often hinders a person's sense of smell, ease of breathing and sleep. Still, it can also affect health and lead to more serious issues including medical episodes such as anxiety and panic attacks, loss of consciousness and cardiac issues.
Nasal Issues Increase with Age
The structure and ability of the nose to do its job changes over time. The soft tissue in the nose becomes more inflamed as people age. "It's not just our skin and joints that show the passage of time; the nose also undergoes changes which can impact its function, such as the nasal tip starting to droop due to a loss of structure and the skin in the nose becoming thinner due to a reduction in collagen and elastin," said Roheen Raithatha, MD, an otolaryngologist in New York City. 
"As our nose ages, the cartilage can gradually become weaker, and the lateral (side) wall of the nose may collapse more — either at rest or especially when one takes a deep breath into the nose. It really can impact someone's ability to breathe comfortably through their nose."
Common Symptoms
People often think of seeing an eye doctor to maintain healthy eyes or a dentist for their teeth, but they might need to see a specialist to check their nose and throat. Older people may be hesitant to see their doctor for NAO as they assume that the only options available for them are invasive procedures, especially if they have not gotten relief from the standard treatments such as nasal steroid sprays and allergy medicines like antihistamines, according to Raithatha.
"People should breathe primarily through the nose most of the day, including while exercising and while sleeping at night." 
The most common symptoms of NAO include trouble sleeping, difficulty breathing through your nose during exertion or exercising, nasal congestion and frequent mouth breathing. The ability to smell can also be affected. Additionally, being able to breathe slowly through an unblocked nose can help to ease anxiety. 
The nose filters debris from the air and humidifies and moisturizes the atmosphere as a person breathes in. "People should breathe primarily through the nose most of the day, including while exercising and while sleeping at night," said Raithatha.
"Breathing primarily through the mouth can contribute to ailments that may be harmful to older adults, such as decreased lung function, blood pressure and poor sleep quality, which impacts energy. Mouth breathing can also lead to dry mouth, bad breath, periodontal disease like gingivitis and cavities and snoring," he explained.
"Allergies can be a big factor as they can lead to swelling within the nasal passages and cause nasal congestion. Other factors that may contribute to NAO include a collapsed nasal valve, deviated nasal septum, swelling of the inferior turbinates (the long thin bones of the nose covered with a layer of tissue), and nasal polyps, among other issues," Raithatha said.
No Surgery Options
Daily saline rinses can clear out triggers of inflammation and mucus from the nose. Other first-line therapies include nasal steroid sprays, decongestants, antihistamines (oral and/or nasal), Breathe-Right Strips or nasal cones. Allergy testing can assess allergic causes of NAO. A complete exam by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor, including a nasal endoscopy (a small camera to look in the nose), is helpful to determine the area/causes of the nasal airway blockage.
"Allergies can be a big factor as they can lead to swelling within the nasal passages and cause nasal congestion."
"When medications or sprays aren't effective or a patient is looking for something that offers lasting relief, we start to look at minimally and non-invasive therapies, which are preferred for older adults who have preexisting conditions and may not be good surgical candidates," noted Raithatha. 
In-office options for treating NAO include an isolated inferior turbinate reduction using radio frequency ablation or a microdebrider and a procedure to place a bioabsorbable nasal implant (called Latera) into the sidewall of the nose to support the upper and lower cartilages. "These two procedures, however, each just work on one component of NAO," he said.
Another office-based treatment, VivAer, uses radiofrequency technology to help remodel the side wall of the nose to help open the nasal valve and can also be used to reduce a swollen area on the surface of the nasal septum (nasal septal swell body) and reduce the inferior turbinates. 
For suitable candidates, the treatment — covered by Medicare and some insurance plans — is done under local and topical anesthesia with minimal recovery. Reduction of nasal obstruction symptoms lasts through two years, according to one study.  
A Successful Treatment 
Diana Packard, age 65, didn't know the cause of her loud nightly snoring or why she could not breathe fully, exercise like she wanted to or get a restful night's sleep. After a sleep study, she ended up with a CPAP machine. 
"When I go for a walk, I can get more air through my nose than I can through my mouth."
"However, due to my narrow nasal airways, I just couldn't breathe properly with my CPAP. I couldn't get enough air through my nose. I saw a sleep specialist, but the doctor had no recommendations for me," she said.
Frustrated, she found her way to an ENT, who did an exam and told her that she had NAO. After trying breathing strips to no avail, she received the VivAer procedure, which enabled her to take full and deep breaths through the nose, and her sense of smell returned. 
"I'm sleeping through the night just about every night now and my physical activity has improved, too. When I go for a walk, I can get more air through my nose than I can through my mouth. I love walking my dogs and being outside, and it's easier to recover when I need to catch my breath," Packard said.
While NAO is a common condition, it's often underdiagnosed and left untreated. "People should talk to an ENT about their symptoms, have a complete examination and ask about non-surgical treatment options," said Raithatha. 


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