There are a number of ways people likely think of Joan Rivers: hysterical, obnoxious, or even plastic from all her surgery.  But “done” she is definitely not, and a piece of work she absolutely still is.

At 76, Rivers continues to do what she loves to do – work. But in many ways, her work is her life’s interests. From designing jewelry and creating cosmetics to traveling, performing, writing and spending time with family, it’s a life she loves and one she considers lucky to have.

It’s actually been a banner year for Rivers. On the TV side, she won Donald Trump’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” her new show “How’d You Get So Rich” is debuting on TV Land, and she was just roasted on Comedy Central. Her jewelry line on QVC is a success, and she’ll be headlining at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

While most of us feel like we know her from the numerous times we’ve seen her, or heard about her, I was a bit surprised when I saw her theater performance of “A Work in Progress by a Life In Progress,” a live autobiography, in a sense, that really provided a very different perspective of Rivers, and her life.

The theater was packed, and considering they had extended the run, it’s obvious audiences still love to watch what she does.
On stage with three other actors playing very minor supporting roles, Rivers reviewed various aspects of her life and career while absolutely commanding the stage with her humor and believe it or not, interesting life perspective.

While she hasn’t lost a step with her timely humor and extraordinary ability to laugh at herself, philosophical would not likely be the word people would choose to describe Rivers.  But watching her in this role, one comes away with a renewed outlook on her life, challenges, perseverance and doggone tenacity.

To say she is resilient is an understatement. For starters, to be one of the first comediennes in an absolutely male entrenched profession, one has to have a lot of chutzpah, which she’s definitely got. But to have continually triumphed after every challenge from professional humiliation, financial catastrophe, and personal devastation, speaks volumes about her ability to overcome dismaying odds and refuse to be kept down.

Rivers credits her attitude, sense of humor, and her ability to face reality -- making the best of whatever came her way, as the key to overcoming the challenges she faced.  Yet when you consider facing the adversity she did, and publicly as well, there’s obviously a strong inner source at the core of her being that warrants some respect.

I’ll admit, I’ve never really been a Rivers fan necessarily. Sure, I’ve enjoyed her comic rants on various TV shows and when she was on the Red Carpet, but she can be just as annoying as she is funny. And she particularly gets under my skin with all the plastic surgery she’s had done on her skin in an effort to defy the aging process. But Rivers’ theory behind it all is that one should never remember how old they are. In fact, she truly believes we should give up birthdays after a certain age.

It’s a personal thing, no doubt, and what truly matters most is whatever makes you happy. Rivers claims she’s got that covered too, saying she’s a nine out of ten on the happiness scale. Of course, making a life you love gives meaning to being, and looking forward to doing something you love while making others happy, too, gives us all a life lift that is ageless.

Special Note: This is part of the Summer Celebrity Series. Stay tuned for upcoming features profiling Dolly Parton & Tina Turner!

Kelly Ferrin, gerontologist and author of “What’s Age Got To Do With It? Secrets to Aging in Extraordinary Ways” has been studying aging and retirement issues for over 25 years. She was one of the first to ever receive a degree in this field from the prestigious Andrus School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California, the top school in the nation for age-related studies.

website: kellyferrin.com ••• email: ageangel@earthlink.net