There was a time when I spent many evenings looking through old family photographs and listening to stories told by grandparents, elderly neighbors, and family friends. Each story was unique, but each one had humor in it. It would be anything from forgetting where they had put their glasses to watching TV and falling asleep after half an hour, or finding a book they already had, but it would always be something that made everyone laugh. One day, I thought that these strange and touching moments could be something creative. I wanted to make artworks that would honor the aging in positive and respectful ways. This idea evolved into an amazing series of old comics that are filled with laughter, memories, and some of the wisdom of the old people.
Aging, Retirement, and Everyday Life
When I began to write the project, I chose that every comic should be a rather different older woman, with a different personality, fashion, pastimes or funny experiences. It was important that all of the characters were real and relatable. Some would be trendy grandmothers, some would be forgetful, some would love gardening, some would love to nap, some would love books, some would love to bake! I also decided that each comic would have a unique background color, a detailed story and a funny message. I didn’t want to poke fun at getting older but celebrate it. Aging is a journey each person takes differently, and I wanted to illustrate that humor can make each and every experience lighter and happier.
Once I started making the comics, I realized that every picture was more than a mere sketch. The characters were all reminders of people I’d encountered in my life. Their customs, their laughs, even their silly grievances, were all grounded in actual experiences of millions of people all over the world. I had some time to wander through their lives, their characters, and the little things that made readers smile. As I continued to work on the illustrations I began to see that I was not only drawing cartoons. But I was creating art that was a celebration of life. Each wrinkle, each memory lapse, each nap, each laugh was a chapter in a grand book of aging well and enjoying the here and now.
#1. Getting older means your knees become your personal alarm clock
My first comic, which I made, was called “The Morning Report.” This comic was a happy old grandma who thought she was a personal weather service. Each morning, she didn’t worry about checking out the weather forecast before perusing the window, she just listened to her knees, back and shoulders. She said that if your knees hurt, then it was going to be a rainy day. If her back was stiff, it meant cold weather would come. As I’ve been making this comic, I find myself laughing at many things that have happened to people in their older years. It have happened to me and my peers throughout the years. I wanted this character to be a symbol of the kind of fun words you can have when you take whatever happens in life’s stride.
#2. These days, staying awake through a whole movie feels like a big adventure
In this comic, readers learn about the change in our notion of excitement as we age. The old woman in this comic was in her youth she had a lot of fun dancing all night. But at this age she could still boast that she managed to stay awake for a whole film. I made this character up because there are so many people who make fun of how their priorities shift through the years. Things that were once fun, no longer are and simple things have more value. With this comic I wanted readers to comprehend that changing is not a bad thing. As people get older, they don’t have to stop enjoying life, but they can find other ways.
#3. I walk into a room with purpose and leave wondering what that purpose was
The most humorous comic in the collection was “Memory Lane. The comic showed an older woman walking confidently and with purpose and determination from room to room. She forgot, however, the middle of the way, what she was there for. She would take notes, lists, reminders and even books with amusing titles with her to remember what was important. When designing this character I considered how common forgetfulness can be as people get older. I didn’t want to make it an embarrassment to forgetfulness, I wanted to do it in a nice and funny manner. The comic asks us to take joy in the little mistakes and to keep in mind that no matter how old you are, you all make little mistakes from time to time.
#4. Retirement is relaxing, but my back still works full-time
The fourth comic, called “Retirement Rhythm,” featured the mundane, but amusing realities of retirement. For the main character, retirement has been a long time dream, having worked hard and long for this. She envisioned endless vacations, hobbies, relaxation and freedom. There were lots of fun things after retirement, but sooner or later she realized that her body had its own timetable and flow. She would sometimes decide to stop activities and sometimes her afternoon naps would get in the way of her plans. As I’ve been making this comic, I wanted to convey that retirement doesn’t mean the end of the fun, it’s the beginning of a brand new one. This character taught me to not rush. Taking the time to slow down is in many respects an opportunity to savor and enjoy the pleasures of life more deeply.
#5. I bend down to garden and suddenly remember three other things to do
The fifth comic, “Garden Hours,” revealed a winsome grandmother, who brought joy to gardening. Her pastimes were flower arranging, watering the plants and enjoying quiet mornings outside. But each time she bent towards her weeding or seed planting. She would suddenly recall several other chores around the house that she needed to do. Soon she had her finger on her head, listing jobs to do while holding gardening tools. This comic was inspired by numerous conversations with senior family members about how simple tasks would bring memories of uncompleted tasks. I wanted to make this comic a tribute to the beauty of being active and involved. This character discovered joy, purpose, exercise and lots of opportunities to smile through gardening.
#6. My knitting projects take longer because naps are part of the pattern
The sixth comic in my collection was called Knit One, Nap Two. This comic was about a kind and happy granny who just couldn’t get enough of knitting. Many afternoons she would sit in her favorite chair surrounded by all the colors of yarn, knitting needles, and unfinished project. There was one problem, however, that hindered her creativity, though, and that was her afternoon nap. She would start knitting with all her enthusiasm and concentration, but would wake up later with the yarn in her hands and could not remember where she left off. As I made this comic, I wanted to honor the harmony of work and rest. This character reminded me that sometimes the best projects take time to finish and lots of laughter and naps in between.
#7. Every wrinkle tells a story worth smiling about
The seventh titled “Silver Style” was one of the most inspirational images in the series. In this comic, the image of an old woman was depicted with a stylish atmosphere, showcasing her gray hair, wrinkles, and unique style with pride. She was dressed in vibrant attire, wearing stylish accessories, and was confident and graceful. We tend to think about staying young more than how beautiful it is to grow old, so while developing this character, I thought about that. This grandma didn’t care to show her age, for every wrinkle told a tale, every gray hair had a lesson to offer, every smile a memory that had been shared. I wanted readers to know in this comic, that there are no age limitations on beauty. At any age, a person can shine if they are confident, happy and comfortable in themselves.
#8. At this age, good lighting is just as important as good health
I had created one of the most entertaining comics, called “Vitamins and Good Lighting.” One comic had an attractive elderly lady who had the belief that aging gracefully didn’t require too much effort. Her research revealed that all one had to do was take a vitamin, wear comfortable shoes, provide the right lighting and have a positive attitude. She was wearing her favorite tracksuit, oversized glasses and colorful accessories and promoting self care. While creating this comic I realized a lot of older adults have their own little habits and practices that help them be confident and healthy. This character represented the idea that self-care does not disappear with age. Rather, it is even more crucial. This comic highlighted the need to be physically healthy as well as emotionally healthy through humor and personality.
#9. Cozy snacks at home now beat fancy dinners out
This was the ninth comic in the series named “Snacks Over Suppers”. This comic was about a lady who had slowly adapted her life over the years. As a youngster, she liked restaurants, dinner parties and socializing. As she became older, however, she found that the best part of the evening was when she was home, dressed in comfortable clothing and wrapped up in a cozy blanket, and had some tasty snacks to enjoy. I found that many people’s priorities change as they get older, I thought that when I was creating this character. Now no longer is the need for large events or crowds enough to make the world exciting. But the happiness is sometimes to be found in quiet times and simple joys. Beautifully illustrated, this comic was about the concept that comfort, relaxation and good food sometimes make for a perfect evening.
#10. Traveling is still fun, it just requires a longer packing list
In the 10th comic, “Travel These Days,” the experience of old age in travelling was explored. The protagonist was an adventurous grandmother, who still enjoyed traveling to new places and making memories. Now, however, travel was a different matter: not only did it involve careful planning but also comfortable shoes, medicines, more bags and plenty of rest breaks as well. When making this comic I wanted to convey the message that adventure doesn’t go away when you get older. Rather, adventure just slows down its pace. Each trip was taken with humor, patience and determination by this grandmother. She knew that travelling was not just about how fast she could go or how exciting the trip was, but about the enjoyment of the journey. I wanted people to know in this comic that curiosity, exploration, and wanting to know about new places can be alive all your life.
#11. My glasses are always lost until I remember they’re on my head
The eleventh comic in my collection was The Daily Search. The idea behind this comic came from one of the most frequently and humorously experienced activities of older people looking for glasses when already wearing them. The old woman in this comic was determined and with confidence in the morning. In a matter of minutes, however, she was looking for her lost glasses everywhere in the house. She searched tables, drawers, kitchen and even refrigerator. Then after a few minutes, she would notice that her glasses were on her head the whole time. As I made this comic, I came to think of hearing similar stories from relatives and friends. I wanted this comic to be a reminder that it’s ok to forget, and that laughter is a great way to make these moments more bearable and fun.
#12. My bingo spirit is stronger than my knees
In the twelfth comic, Bingo Bones, the fun and excitement of social activities in old age were celebrated. He focused on the main character who was a very active and fun-loving granny who liked to play bingo once a week with her friends. Her knees would ache sometimes and her back would grumble, but her competitive nature would never falter. She wore fancy dress to all her bingo sessions, took her lucky charms and was excited and determined to play each game. I wanted to depict the comic while making the point that it’s not too late to be enthusiastic and to be passionate. For many older people, hobbies, friendships and activities keep life happy and full of meaning. This comic was about friendship and fun and how it is important to keep socializing at all points in life.
#13. A good nap is no longer a luxury, it’s a strategy
The 13th comic in the series was titled The Power Nap Plan. One of life’s greatest achievements was napping, as was the case with this comic, which had an elderly woman as its character. Her belief was that naps were not lazy, but well thought-out investments in health, happiness, and energy. She planned her naps seriously, like she planned a business meeting or appointment. As I worked on this character, I found that a lot of older people have learned to value rest in a way that younger people don’t. The comic had a lot of jokes about getting old, and how to listen to your body and take care of yourself. With this character I wanted readers to understand that balance, self-care and the need to have time of rest are all important.
#14. Every little movement counts as exercise these days
I did one of the funniest comics I ever made, a comic named “Remote-Control Fitness.” There was a comic where the elderly grandmother said she was proud of the fact that she thought anything she did was exercise. Walking to the TV remote, walking to the kitchen, picking up groceries, and even sitting out of a comfortable chair were important fitness activities in her daily life. As I’m making this comic, I wanted to draw attention to how funny the way people change their point of view as they get older. You don’t have to do a complicated routine or work out hard while exercising. Sometimes it’s just about moving, being active and enjoying the activities. This comic is about being positive, creative and finding humor in everyday situations.
#15. Slow steps and good company make every walk worthwhile
The 15th comic, “Walking Club Wisdom,” highlighted the story of an older woman who discovered joy from her daily walk with her friends. Each day she was part of a small group of walkers, but physical activity was just a small component of her morning routine. The actual objective of the walks was to share stories, discuss life, share advice and enjoy each others company. As I was making this comic, I realized how crucial friendship and social interactions are in life. These ladies walking club were not going for speed records, or competing against one another. Rather, they enjoyed talking, being with each other, and enjoying all things simple. I was reminded that not everything is measured by how far one has gone, but how much was created along the way and how much friendship was maintained.
#16. Falling asleep with a good book still counts as reading
My 16th comic is entitled “Bookmarks and Bedtime. In this comic, there was an old woman who had a passion for reading books. Each night she would brew a pot of tea, sit in her favorite chair and read the next chapter in her newest book. But she did have one problem every night; she would often fall asleep before she read the chapter. She was not disappointed, but got a good sense of humor out of it. She was a proud believer that sleeping with a book in her hands meant that she was still reading. I imagine as you get older comfort and happiness are more significant, thinking about that as I was making this comic. This comic was about relaxing times, routine and the power to laugh at ourselves and embrace the small pleasures in life.
#17. Sometimes I forget why I went shopping, but I never forget the cookies
The seventeenth comic, titled “Aisle of Forgetfulness,” covered one of the most human of experiences as we grow older. The main character went into the grocery store with a shopping list and a plan. She walked boldly through the door and picked up a cart, but then she forgot what she had gone there to get. She walked through all the aisles several times, but still couldn’t remember what the primary purchase was. But there always seemed to be cookies, treats, and snacks in her cart. As I was making this comic, I did recall hearing many such stories from older family members and friends. This comic highlighted the comedy of everyday forgetfulness and encouraged readers to remember that laughter can help them deal with everyday challenges.
#18. If the text is big enough, I can conquer any gadget
The eighteenth comic in the collection was called “Big-Print Technology.” In this comic, an older woman, who couldn’t seem to be putting the technology aside. Even when it caused some problems. She owned a smartphone, tablet, and computer, but she had one important rule. If the text was not large enough to read comfortably, it needed to be enlarged immediately. She boldly made everything bigger, dimmed the screen, and took advantage of all of the accessibility tools. I wanted to honor the determination and adaptability of older people who are continuing to learn new skills. This character proved that it’s never too late to learn. Instead, anyone can be successful in adapting to changing technology with patience, persistence and a good sense of humor.
#19. A little style and confidence brighten even the grayest days
One of the most confident and stylish characters in the entire collection was the nineteenth comic “Rainy-Day Royalty”. This older lady knew that the rain never stopped her from looking and feeling her best. She wore stylish attire, beautiful umbrella, and walked with confidence, irrespective of the weather conditions. When developing this character, I wanted to tell a message on the old age and self-confidence. You don’t have to sacrifice personal flair, self-esteem or joy in your life just because you’re getting older. Indeed, as many people discover as they live their lives, they feel more confident and comfortable in themselves. This comic was a celebration of self-love, positivity and the fact that there’s beauty in confidence, experience and a happy life.
#20. The baker deserves to sample every batch
The last comic in the series was “Bake, Taste, Repeat.” In this comic, there was a grandmother who had worked so hard in the kitchen and thought of herself as an expert in the area for many years. She enjoyed making cookies, cakes, pies and other homemade items for friends and family. But she also felt that there was a part that she felt every responsible baker had to play, which was to taste the product several times to test for quality. As I was making this comic, I was reminded of all of the occasions around the family when food and cooking play a central role, whether it’s a holiday celebration, a family cookout, or some of my own memories.
Thank you for taking this journey with me on these old age comics. It’s a fun and heartwarming one at that. I hope that these stories and illustrations helped you to smile a bit. It also make you remember that life can be filled with laughter, wisdom and beautiful memories as you grow older. So, I’d like to hear from you now. Share your own funny moments with us in the comments below. And if you have any of your own, or with important people in your life, please share them as well. If you like this collection, be sure to share this article with your family and friends. Let them have some fun with these humor-filled senior stories as well. If you’re looking for more funny comics, loveable stories and creative artwork. Don’t forget to head over to our website here, here, here and check out our newest content.
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