Wiser With Age

Tag: advice

  • The love of nature bringing people together – one national park at a time

    The love of nature bringing people together – one national park at a time


    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    Audrey and Frank Peterman on their boat “Limitless.” (Courtesy Audrey Peterman)

    Audrey Peterman grew up on the lush island of Jamaica where she says there was often no choice between outdoors and indoors. She was always at home in wildlife.

    “We bathed in the river,†she recollects. “We went to the woods to collect firewood. We went to the fields to get green bananas and potatoes. I was very much into nature.â€

    Little did she know however, that at 64, she’d be living on a sailboat, with her husband Frank, off a marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and be a U.S. national park expert – having visited a total of 171 around the country. It’s been 20 years since she and Frank started their own business, Earthwise Productions – inspiring hundreds of thousands to discover and support our national parks. In 2012, she wrote “Our True Nature,†the first travel guide to the national parks written by an African American woman.

    Peterman moved to New York at 28 to join her mother in 1979. Six years later, after moving to Fort Lauderdale, to escape the cold winters of NYC, she met Frank.

    “We became instant best friends,†she says in her gregarious manner. “He was so exciting as a writer and a person, I tried to set him up with all of my girlfriends, and it was a disaster. It’s not often that you have a great male friend. We did get together, several years later. It’s been 23 years now that we’ve been married.â€

    She says their entire married life has included a close relationship with nature.

    “When Frank and I got married, we’d go for our morning walks,†says Peterman. “Not only would he identify the birds that he saw, but also the birds that he heard. Now I can tell by the call too, but I never thought it was possible to do that. We are very attune to the outdoors.â€

    Peterman says it wasn’t until 1995 when they decided to drive around the country and see America. They were about to open a bed and breakfast in Belize, but while Frank was having a drink there before flying home, a local asked him about the Badlands and the Grand Canyon, and Frank said he’d never been.

    “The gentleman said, ‘What? What kind of American are you?’,†recalls Peterman. “Frank said, ‘We cannot go to Belize if we do not know our own country.’ So we decided to take two months off to travel. We bought a Ford truck. We drove from the Atlantic to the Pacific – Yellowstone to Yosemite, and we didn’t see any blacks or Hispanics…We thought, ‘How is this possible?’ We decided that we would make a change. A lot of friends didn’t know of these places.† 

    She says seeing so many beautiful places they did not know about encouraged them to start their own company to bring information about our national forests to other people who didn’t know.

    “The French philosopher, Albert Camus, once said, ‘All a man’s life consists of the search for those few special images in the presence of which his soul first opened.’ That’s what I’m all about,†says Peterman. “From the first moment I saw my first national park – Acadia in Maine – my soul opened so extensively like I was looking into the face of God…When I had that feeling, I wanted to share that with everybody. What it feels like to feel so small, and yet you’re safe. I experience it over, and over, and over, again. That’s why I can’t stop. I didn’t choose my mission, my mission chose me.â€

    Peterman says they’re busier than ever now, because now they have to travel the country speaking about climate change,†says Peterman. “At this point, it’s all hands on deck. It’s affecting us right now.â€

    What is the most important piece of life advice that she would give her younger self at her age now?

    “I would say keep a more open mind and not to jump to conclusions so readily,†she says. “I think that when we’re younger we see something as it is, but there could be so many reasons it appears that way, but it’s not so at all. Because you think it, doesn’t make it so. There could be another interpretation. Especially something that hurts you – don’t assume that that’s what it is. Even now at 64, I find that as much as I’m striving not to do it, it really takes work not to jump to conclusions.â€

  • In my Mother’s Words: 6 greatest moments in 61 years

    In my Mother’s Words: 6 greatest moments in 61 years


    My mom celebrated her 61st birthday on Tuesday. Thankfully, she’s still hanging out with me in NYC until I get my apartment and am all settled. I decided to ask her what her top six moments of the last 61 years have been. Here you go (in chronological order and not necessarily order of importance):

    1. Her wedding day – My mother has always said her wedding day really was one of the best memories of her life. She remembers being full of hopes, dreams and excitement.
      A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    2. The day she gave birth to each of us – My mom loves us limitlessly. She says despite the painful experience of child birth, and how hard it is to raise kids, she wouldn’t have it any other way. I tell ya, we aren’t easy cookies so there’s a lot of love and patience there.
      A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    3. The day my brother and I each graduated college – For my mother this was her American dream. All she wanted was to raise two professionals. We did it!
      A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    4. Visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France - My mom is a very devout Catholic and says ever since she was a little girl she dreamt of traveling to Lourdes but never thought it’d be possible. Thankfully, she checked it off her bucket list. (photo credit: Mom)
      A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    5. Seeing my grandmother turn 91 – My grandmother is not only 91 but is as healthy as a horse. She’s a little frail like most of us would be, but has a sharp tongue paired with sharp wit. She went to the doctor a few weeks ago and tried hitting on the man! Here she is surrounded by mariachis on her 91st in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
      A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    6. Vacationing in Argentina with my brother and I- This was probably the most surprising one for me. She told me that for her “eso fue lo máximoâ€Â (it was awesome). When I asked her why, she said she never imagined us being all together on vacation somewhere like Argentina. When we were younger we didn’t go on vacation and any trips were to Honduras to see family. It was a fun treat to be all together…sipping on wine…lots of wine.
      A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.

    From listening to her I was reminded of the importance of gratitude. She’s so thankful for all of these experiences. She’s humbled by so many of them and realizes how fortunate we are. She doesn’t feel entitled or like these are experiences she’s earned. She’s just grateful.

    The crazy thing is five out of her six best moments have happened in the last 31 years. As usual, she reminds me it’s never too late.

    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.Victoria Moll-Ramirez is a broadcast journalist based in New York City. She is originally from Miami, FL and had the great fortune of being raised by the sassiest, spunkiest, wisest, most hysterical Honduran woman in the world. Victoria’s mother, Bélgica, is 60-years-old, resides in Little Havana (Miami) and enjoys a good margarita accompanied by a heartrending ranchera. Victoria blogs about her mom’s funny and wise sayings on, “In My Mother’s Words.â€

  • In my Mother’s Words: Coming home safe

    In my Mother’s Words: Coming home safe


    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.

    I went back and forth about whether or not I should make this week’s post about this. Many times when something strikes a chord with me I want to write it down. It wasn’t until I received a phone call from my best friend that I realized I needed to do it.

    I’ve recently moved to New York City, and my best friend was calling me to catch up. The second question out of her mouth was, “Amiga – can I tell you how happy I am you’re not out in the field anymore after what happened with that reporter yesterday?â€

    No, I’ve never been a reporter. But, I have field produced quite a bit. As a field producer you essentially do the same thing a reporter does except stand in front of the camera – you gather video and spend endless hours with a photographer, find interviews, get information confirmed, talk to officials, etc.

    In my new role, I’m in-house more. I get to write, and still work with correspondents, I’m just not out in the field. When I told my mom what my friend had said, she told me the same thing crossed her mind yesterday. Her words to me were:

    “Tu no sabes como yo he rezado. Cuando mire eso ayer dije, ‘Gracias a Dios que Victoria ya no esta en el field.’â€

    (â€You have no idea how much I’ve prayed. When I saw that yesterday I said, ‘Thank God Victoria isn’t out in the field anymore!’â€)

    I’m a firm believer that you can’t be controlled by fear. I also didn’t realize anyone would correlate yesterday’s events with me. My mom’s words made me remember how happy she is every time I get a new job. If I’m stressed out and unhappy with work, she’s stressed out and unhappy for me. Whatever I feel, she feels.

    I didn’t know Alison Parker or Adam Ward. But, this business is so small I know someone who knew Alison. That friend of mine is distraught. We’ve all been distraught and in a daze. As my friend told me, “She was just doing her job.†They paid the ultimate price for that job.

    I never really imagined my mom worried that much about me when I was out in the field. Moms always worry, that’s what they do. It taught me that sometimes when you’re out living your dream, your mom is back home praying you come home safe.

    Rest in peace, Alison and Adam, aka “The A-Team.â€

    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.Victoria Moll-Ramirez is a broadcast journalist based in New York City. She is originally from Miami, FL and had the great fortune of being raised by the sassiest, spunkiest, wisest, most hysterical Honduran woman in the world. Victoria’s mother, Bélgica, is 60-years-old, resides in Little Havana (Miami) and enjoys a good margarita accompanied by a heartrending ranchera. Victoria blogs about her mom’s funny and wise sayings on, “In My Mother’s Words.â€

  • In my Mother’s Words: People and looks

    In my Mother’s Words: People and looks


    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.
    Victoria with her mom while traveling in Medellin, Colombia.

    You know how sometimes you like a guy or a girl, and they’re not incredibly good looking, but not hideous either? Sometimes you don’t even know how to describe them!

    My mother always tries to see the best in people, and like most mothers, her words may sound mean, but then you laugh and realize it’s not such a bad way of putting it either.

    Typically, when my mother sees someone and finds herself in the same position I do when describing someone not gorgeous but not hideous, she tells me:

    “No es bonito/a que encanta ni feo/a que espanta.â€

             (Translation: Neither cute enough to charm nor ugly enough to harm.)

    I know this sounds harsh at first, but it’s also kind of hysterical. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been able to describe someone that way, and it totally makes sense to whomever I’m speaking with.

    Let’s be honest, most people aren’t drop dead gorgeous, or drop dead hideous. In the end, it’s all in good fun, because as my mom always reminds me it’s the inside that counts.

    Moms really do say the darndest things.

    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.Victoria Moll-Ramirez is a broadcast journalist based in Atlanta, GA. She is originally from Miami, FL and had the great fortune of being raised by the sassiest, spunkiest, wisest, most hysterical Honduran woman in the world. Victoria’s mother, Bélgica, is 60-years-old, resides in Little Havana (Miami) and enjoys a good margarita accompanied by a heartrending ranchera. Victoria blogs about her mom’s funny and wise sayings on, “In My Mother’s Words.â€

     

  • In My Mother’s Words: When others don’t understand

    In My Mother’s Words: When others don’t understand


    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.

    You know how sometimes you feel like people just don’t understand things? You almost feel crazy because no matter how many times you explain it, even in the simplest way possible, people are still not getting it! Most of all, you feel almost judged. Judged, because if no one is understanding you then you’re obviously the problem.

    My mom tells me that many times people don’t understand, because they can’t relate. They’ve never been through the situation or shared a similar experience. At least, not yet. She always says to me:

    “Cuando mi mal sea viejo, el tuyo sera nuevo.â€

    (Translation: “When my troubles have passed, yours will have just begun.”)

    In no way is this a way of wishing something negative upon others. But, I’ve noticed she is right. It’s almost like a friendly form of karma.

    The older I get, the more I see how so many different lives are almost the same. Similar experiences – just at different points. It’s taught me to be less judgmental and take a step back when listening, because in the end, you never know when you’ll be in the same shoes.

    A woman with short hair wearing red necklace.Victoria Moll-Ramirez is a broadcast journalist based in Atlanta, GA. She is originally from Miami, FL and had the great fortune of being raised by the sassiest, spunkiest, wisest, most hysterical Honduran woman in the world. Victoria’s mother, Bélgica, is 60-years-old, resides in Little Havana (Miami) and enjoys a good margarita accompanied by a heartrending ranchera. Victoria blogs about her mom’s funny and wise sayings on, “In My Mother’s Words.â€