Old age has its own language too. It expresses itself in slow movements, sore knees, soft hands, teary eyes, and the tiny breaks grandmothers make before getting out of a seat. The inspiration for these comics came when I observed elderly women discussing issues amongst themselves in parks, kitchens, salons, churches, buses, and family settings. All their discussions were about body pains, new faces, painful hands, swollen feet, and crying suddenly.
Everyday Life of Grandmothers
However, there was always warmth in every complaint. They cried not just because aging had transformed them, but they also laughed because of the friendship that helped them cope with the changes. This is where the inspiration for these comics came from. I aimed at creating simple, happy, and family-friendly humor regarding aging while maintaining respect for aged women.
#1. When Your Knees Crack Louder Than Your Snacks
The first cartoon was created while envisioning two grandmas relaxing in a serene park, when all of a sudden one grandma becomes emotional due to noise and soreness in her body. I made it since many old ladies tend to complain about the cracking joints and stiff back. The good side of the message is that old age will make the body more vocal but friendship will ensure the heart is lighter. The kids who witness the scene will understand that grandma’s complaint does not make her weak, it is just a body which has taken care of family, home, and love for many years.
#2. Gravity, Wrinkles, and the Traveling Skin Club
The second cartoon was made out of the interaction between two older women in the kitchen, drinking tea, chatting about mirrors, skin, neck lines, and arms that have lost their way around. I decided to create it since many older ladies go through difficult times dealing with changes in their physical appearance, feeling like they are losing their beauty when looking at their own reflections and comparing themselves with their younger versions. But wrinkles, delicate skin, and droopy arms do not mean beauty is lost. They simply mean many years of cooking food, carrying babies, hugging grandkids, and going through seasons.
#3. The Bladder That Quit Giving Warnings
The third comic was conceived based on the doctor’s reception, which is the environment where old women often feel comfortable talking about their bladders, coughs, sneezes, and urges. My intention in developing this comic is the fact that these issues are common among old women, but the subjects are embarrassing to talk about for most people. The optimistic message is that aged women need not be embarrassed about their bodies. Grandchildren need to learn how to cope with these issues in an empathic manner.
#4. Watery Eyes and Surprise Chin Hairs
The fourth panel was drawn from a garden patio surrounded by flowers wherein a grandmother cries about her watering eyes and how those pesky facial hairs just pop up whenever she least expects it. This was created because growing older comes with a lot of small surprises that can both be funny and irritating. Using the garden setting makes it clear that there is always color in life even if the body starts to change. The lesson here is that old age doesn’t take away the sense of humor and grace.
#5. The Sock Pickup That Became a Full Body Meeting
The fifth illustration featured a grandmother stooping to get a sock and realizing that straightening up is now quite an endeavor. I made it because stooping, stretching and getting up are some simple things that people find difficult as they grow old. It is funny because something as trivial as getting a sock turns into a great exercise. This comic is positive because it teaches kids that old age needs to be respected and that even the smallest movements take strength and balance.
#6. Bruised Like a Peach but Still Finding the Cookie Tin
The sixth illustration comes from a sewing room where an elderly lady is crying because of the sensitive skin and easily bruised, old hands. I chose the scenario because sewing rooms are places where most grandmothers spend a lot of time using their hands to sew, mend clothes and create wonderful memories. Aging hands become beautiful hands that have worked, prayed, cooked, cleaned and cared for children. The positive message of this comic is that aged hands are beautiful because of all the work they have done in a lifetime.
#7. When Your Feet Demand Forgiveness and Arch Support
This illustration starts at the bus stop where an elderly woman complains of her waist getting bigger, swollen ankles and feet protesting every step. The comic is positive in the sense that it shows the truth about old age such as the fact that old age comes with feet that protest at every step and the need for comfortable shoes. The old woman in my comic does not come out looking vulnerable; she has a friend that turns comfort into something wise.
#8. Wobbling, Creaking, and Calling It Exercise
The eighth comic was written in a hallway in a community center, where one grandmother cries about balance, shoulder pains, and a hearing aid that has its own personality. I made this drawing as the community centers are places where aged women still come and gather together, laugh and socialize. Body changes might cause them to wobble and creak, but they still attend those meetings. The positive idea that aging should not force women to hide their presence in public and family life is the message of this drawing.
#9. The Back That Predicts Weather and Grandchildren
The ninth illustration took place in a cozy living room, where one grandmother told about waking up with sore muscles and the ability of her back to forecast weather. I wrote this drawing because lots of women associate weather, mood and family activities with body aches. The living room is the perfect place for discussion such matters as grandma’s sitting near lamps, pictures and tea cups. So the message of my drawing is that aging means not only pain. It also means memories, family visits, grandchildren and laughter that makes home a cozy place.
#10. The Case of the Missing Hair and Surprise Mustache
The tenth illustration was created using the café atmosphere, when one elderly woman cried about her hair getting thinner, wrinkles and one hair growing where she does not want it. I made this drawing as lots of women experience aging hair changes as funny and painful. Café atmosphere shows that women feel comfortable talking about their fears and worries in such place. The message of the illustration is that aging means not loss of beauty. It only becomes sincere and free.
#11. The Old-Age Beauty Package Nobody Ordered
In the eleventh comic, I depicted an elder grandmother who started crying at the beauty salon due to folding her neck, the eyebrows and chin hairs that she saw while getting a haircut. This was done since salons are places where women are most likely to notice changes in themselves in front of bright mirrors and lights. The idea behind this was humorizing the worries of women about their beauty by transforming them into one old age experience. The good message is that aged women should not be lonely in noticing the changes in their appearance. It is important to have a good friend that can turn a difficult mirror moment into a funny situation.
#12. Grocery Shopping When Cantaloupe Feels Dangerous
The twelfth comic was derived from the produce aisle of a grocery store, where an elderly grandmother cries as she tries to grab the fruit which is too heavy for her. I decided to use such a setting because shopping can be a daily activity that becomes difficult for older women due to their shoulders, wrists and grip strength changes. The good message is that independence should be accompanied by kindness. Grandchildren can assist with groceries not because their grandmother cannot handle them but because they notice that these items are becoming too heavy for her.
#13. Knitting, Knuckles, and Senior Hand Negotiations
The thirteenth comic is a funny conversation around stiff fingers, swollen knuckles and tired hands in the knitting club. I decided to create this comic since knitting, crocheting, crafting and other activities related to this are very important for elderly women. It may seem emotionally painful when hands become less flexible since the grandmother used to be fast in working with her needles. The message is that hobbies play their role in old age. Even if grandmother’s hands become tired, it is still possible to enjoy creating and gathering together.
#14. When Every Joint Needs to Sign the Paperwork
Fourteen comic took place in the church fellowship hall, where a grandmother starts crying as she gets up after a prayer circle because her knees, ankles and feet do not want to move. I decided to make it as it shows another place where many old ladies still get comfort and community through faith gatherings. Even if the body does not want to move anymore, the spirit remains strong. Old age still has its meaning and dignity. Families need to show respect to their elders who take part in social life even with some physical pain.
#15. Laundry Day as Upper-Body Theater
Fifteen comic took place in the backyard during doing laundry, where a grandmother starts crying because of her arm jiggling, back stiffness and inability to keep balance while washing clothes. I made this comic as laundry is one of those everyday jobs that aged women could have been doing for years and without any appreciation. As the body changes, the same job becomes harder and even dramatic. The positive message is that grandchild needs to be thankful. Grandma did everything out of her love.
#16. Aging Redecorates the Face Overnight
Sixteen comic was made in the bedroom in front of the mirror where an elderly woman looks at herself and feels sad about her thin skin, wrinkles and new jawline. I made this comic as morning mirror can become emotional moment for aged women who feel themselves young inside. Bedroom vanity helped me to make a tender and reflective comic. Positive message is that wrinkles need to be treated gently. They represent all experiences of laughing, worrying, surviving, being a mother and a grandmother and taking care.
#17. Senior Geometry and the Missing Waistline
Comic number seventeen was created based on the idea of the park gazebo, where two ladies enjoy tea and discuss the lost waist, soft belly, and shoe-tie struggle. I invented this cartoon because most older women experience some changes in the figure and lack of flexibility at small actions. Although I turn tying shoes into an adventurous thing, I want to send a very positive message. Aged people might change their bodies, but they still need to feel comfortable, joyful and respected. Grandchildren might understand how to assist their grandmas and not to humiliate them.
#18. Dessert, Dentures, and Digestive Negotiations
Number eighteen cartoon was created after my visit to a bakery café where grandma cried because of a simple cookie due to sensitive gums, weak jaws and difficulties with digestion. I invented it because food is an essential part of joy, family traditions and memory keeping, which is why grandmothers usually do a lot of cooking for other people. Eating problems might be very emotional issues because of that. The positive message is that elder women deserve to be patient with food and health-related changes.
#19. Bus Travel Strategy for Every Aching Joint
The nineteenth cartoon was born when I noticed an elderly woman crying about bladder concerns, hip problems, bus steps, and lower back pain on the bus tour for seniors. I invented it because traveling might be exciting but sometimes a stress for elderly women. It might be hard to overcome one step inside a bus due to the rigidity of joints. The message is that the old age still needs movement, traveling and joy, although it should be comfortable and planned. It is the best way to give a woman her freedom through helping with the trip.
#20. Eyes, Shoulders, and Needles
The twentieth comic takes us back to the sewing room, where watery eyes, tight shoulders, and inability to thread a needle become elements of yet another old age joke. This one is about grandmothers and their love for sewing. I have made this comic as sewing represents family traditions, family history, the ability to repair and make beautiful quilts as well as a lot of patience. Even if one gets weak eyesight or muscle aches, the willingness to craft does not go away. Therefore, the positive side of this comic is that older ladies should be motivated to continue doing what they love despite any difficulties.
These old age comics are not supposed to make fun of elderly women. They are supposed to make fun with them. When grandchildren see how grandma cries about her stiff fingers, aching knees, thin skin and tired legs, they see not the weakness but a lady who has lived, worked, loved and still has enough strength to smile. This is the real meaning of all these comics as they turn body changes in old age into jokes and remind that each grandma deserves respect, understanding, humor and a place in the family. For more such hilarious blogs, please visit the website in detail or simply click here, here, here, here and here. In case you enjoys the comics, share it with your loved ones.
Share this content:
