Mary Maxwell: “How old age just sort of crept up on me . . .”

“This is the first time I’ve ever been old. And it just sort of crept up on me,” explains 72-year old Mary Maxwell as she delivers the invocation before the annual dinner at an Omaha seniors facility. At first, her presentation starts like a normal little prayer, but it soon takes a hilarious turn when she hijacks the microphone for a more personal chat with God about the topic of growing old. With the laser-like timing of a professional stand-up comic,  she talks about common aging issues  – like random hair growth. “I remember the time I reached to brush a hair off my lapel,” she deadpans. “And then I realized it was attached to my chin…”

Mary shines a very funny light on the foibles of aging, to the absolute delight of her live audience, as well as over 3 million YouTube viewers so far. Here’s the 7-minute video called “A Reminder That Laughter is The Best Medicine”. It’s from the Caregiver Stress website hosted by Home Instead Senior Care Services.   Sit back, enjoy Mary Maxwell, and then forward this link to the people you love. Mary’s unique message and unforgettable humour will be good for their hearts – and their souls.

You can also download a copy of the poem Blessed In Agingthat Mary reads at the end of her invocation.