Cynthia Daniello and I have become friends in the curious way many Americans meet one another these days. I have never seen Cynthia or met her, and possibly never will see her or meet her.

Yet we are connected in important ways, hopefully for a good while.

She was one of the first callers to my radio show “Talking To Animals”, and she became a regular caller. I was struck right a way by her knowledge of dogs and cats and other animals. She was thoughtful, intelligent and wise, rare qualities in some people.

She had a calm perspective that struck me, and that is somewhat rare in the animal world.

Cynthia was the first caller every week for several weeks, and as I got to talk to her – and exchange some e-mails – I came to understand why she was so interesting to talk to and so unusual.

Even though the called with a question, I sensed right away she knew as much as I did, if not more. I learned as much from her as I taught. I could see that she knew almost everything I suggested.

She grew up  on a dairy farm, raised horses, lived with dogs and worked for more than 30  years as a veterinary technician. When it came to animals, she had pretty much seen it all.

I learned that Cynthia was 84 years old, lived in what is called “senior independent living,” a step away from assisted care. I was surprised. she was older than some of the Mansion residents, but so clear and strong in voice.

Cynthia also read some of my posts about aging, and in particular a piece about how the elderly often feel invisible and ignored when what they most need is to be useful and valued.

She is wheelchair bound and lives independently with the help of some aides.

She said she felt forgotten herself.

It occurred to me that she and I were having an important conversation beyond dogs and cats. A light went off in my head.

I suggested she start her own blog, her life was compelling and she could be very useful to the many people who had questions and concerns about their pets. It would return meaning and a sense of worth to her life, a painful problem for the elderly.

When I suggest blogs to people, most balk and twitch. The idea of a blog – of coming out into the open – frightens many people. Cynthia was frightened for about ten seconds, and said she would do it once her tech-savvy son came to visit her.

I’ve had many reactions to my efforts at creative encouragement. Some people want nothing to do with me, they find blogs crude and trashy. Some get offended. I had a friend I liked, an artist, who said he found the idea offensive. We are no longer friends.

Most squawk a bit about technology, as if starting a blog (it is free and takes about ten minutes) is a forbidding and daunting enterprise. Older people sometimes think it’s too complicated to start a blog, when it is actually easier than buying microwave oven.

The rare ones like Cynthia fuss and cluck a bit, and then see the possibilities for themselves, they feel the creative spark coming to life. They want their stories and ideas to live, they are weary of living out of sight and mind. Cynthia is one of those. Her body may be in a wheel chair, but her mind and soul are flying hight.

Cynthia will do it, I believe, the blog will give her the voice to the world that her life deserves. I will be there to help in any way I can.

Many of you know my strong feelings about people using this new technology to find their voices and share their ideas with the world, at any age, for almost any reason.

We all have stories to tell, we all have value, and Cynthia has a lot to tell the world about, and powerful new tools to use. She can tell her story and also help people in need confusion. It is not simple, cheap or easy to have a pet in America. I know that from the calls I was getting on my broadcast.

Cynthia’s blog would be of great value, and not only in terms of pets, but in terms of the challenge to be vital and relevant as we age. She is important.

Yesterday, I got a message from Cynthia after I wrote about her on the blog..

“You are truly the wind beneath my wings,” she wrote. “I hope I will be able to fly high.” She was surprised to read what I wrote about her the other day. “I was almost in tears. I don’t think anyone has ever seen that much value in me. I have been loved, and still am by my children, but this is different. On wings of the Turkey Vulture (my “spirit “bird, I shall fly.”

Her message almost brought me to tears. I wrote her back and asked if she could send me a photo of herself, she said she would ask her daughter to do it. It hasn’t come yet, I will share it when it does.

I mean to follow Cynthia’s journey, to cheer her on, promote her blog if I can, and then celebrate her courage and spirit. That Turkey Vulture is doing his job. Turkey Vultures are a symbol of ascending to new spiritual heights.

Cynthia is about to show the world  how far and high 84 year-olds can fly.