Deepa Mohan wrote on 10/23/18 8:34 PM October 23, 2018:
https://deponti.livejournal.com/1215542.html
Fascinating.
Before we get into this any deeper, I want to invite you all to dance at
my 130th birthday party, which will be held in 2091.
I note cultural, as well as generational, differences here.
My grandparents lived into their 80s and 90s. One great-grandmother
lived to be 105. One of my great-aunts is still going strong at 101.
When my dad died of brain cancer at age 67, no one considered him old. I
don't consider my mom to be old, although she turned 80 this year, and
she is only starting to consider the possibility that she might soon
become elderly.
I lost some dear friends in the past few years at the ages of 108 and 99.
I am blessed to have many examples of people living active, vibrant
lives into their 10th and 11th decades. I have this image in my mind of
my friend Ian climbing up into a full dumpster and gleefully stomping
down the contents at age 97. Many much younger people would consider
themselves too old for such an activity, but not Ian.
The oldest people I have known have been active, optimistic, and busily
working on various projects. They are interested in life, and actively
engaged in making the world a better place. They are more focused on
their near futures than their distant pasts.
Researcher Dr. Miriam Nelson showed that strength training can prevent
and even reverse many of the ills we associate with old age (brittle
bones, loss of strength, mobility issues, spinal problems). Weight
training can help us live independently longer, something that is
definitely associated with quality of life.
I personally believe that it's important to keep working at something as
we age. Resting on our laurels is deadly; we need to keep learning and
striving to keep our minds and bodies sharp.
I often think about facing ill health, diminishment, and death with
grace and good humor. I've seen some great examples of this, and been
deeply impressed with the obstacles they managed to overcome by focusing
on what they could do instead of merely bemoaning their fates.
Two women I know were talking about what keeps married couples together
over the decades.
"Luck," said the woman who has been married for 51 years.
"Hard work," said the one who has been married 42 years.
When they asked me, married a mere 34 years, I said "sheer stubbornness."
--
Heather Madrone ([email protected])
http://www.knitfitter.com/category/personal/
Nothing worth doing is ever easy.
