I’m Still Here!

Jocelyn A. Brown, PhD
September 21, 2026

The scene in the movie The Color Purple when Whoopi Goldberg’s character, Miss Celie, rides off triumphantly shouting, “I’m here! I’m here!” was a profound moment for my mother. It’s the moment that Miss Celie, after years of being downtrodden and misused, proclaims her worth and validity. The line came to resonate with my mother in a different way.

Unlike Miss Celie’s life, my mother’s was a life of professional accomplishments and accolades. She held a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate and was the Assistant Superintendent of a large school district in New York City. She started critical social and educational initiatives that are still in practice today.

Alzheimer’s began to take over my mother’s life after she retired and my she became painfully aware that her impact in the world was changing and that her world was getting smaller. Writing and speaking became a challenge. Yet there was a basic understanding that she still had validity and usefulness, and she wanted to affirm that she was “here.” With the same triumph and glee that Miss Celie expressed, my mother began to assert, “I’m Still Here!” reminding herself that she wasn’t done with her life.

Aging and dementia were not going to stop her from finding meaning in her days and nights. She planned to get as much out of life as she was able. So, we went to tea dances where she free-styled joyfully, unconcerned about keeping the beat. We joined a singing group where she waved her arms wildly like a mad maestro conductor and shouted BRAVO! after every song. We took pottery classes where she often confused the clay with a snack and attempted to take bites. And in private, she would reiterate, “I’m still here!

What a beautiful testament to life and living it the best way possible. The key point is that we have vitality and purpose no matter what age. Our stories aren’t over until we say they’re over. There’s no need to resign ourselves to languishing boredom when there’s still more life in us. If we need extra supports to keep living our best lives, there are resources out there. Local senior and age-well centers provide great information. Even if years have passed since we’ve pursued hobbies and interests, it’s never too late to reawaken ourselves and recognize, “We’re Still Here!”