Inspiration Through the Ages

I wish I had taken their picture.

I went to visit old friends who have been married  for 72 years.

He is 98 , looks 65 and is still a community volunteer!

Still driving her around town too.

He proudly says he takes no prescription medications- only Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and baby aspirin.

Imagine?

She is 92 and beautiful – elegantly coiffed with painted nails, gorgeous clothes, and a smile that transforms her face to youth.

They are both beautiful.

I love talking to them, or rather, just listening to their stories of a lifetime together.

Oh, there are the negatives like lost hearing, balance and reading ability.

But they both offer this advice:

“Do not dwell on  the things you cannot do.  Be grateful for  the things you can.”

And they are truly my inspiration.

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

How to Stay Young

The Big Black Book

I have a Big Black Book at home, of things that are deemed “important”.

And no, it’s not the “hoarding” book!  That one is brown.  This one is black and holds vital information like old notes from Mom advising me never to leave home without a dime for a phone call.

On rare occasions I look through The Book’s pages to delete what may have become unimportant.

This morning, in the Big Black Book,  I re-discovered a list of Things to Do to Stay Young!

Now that list stays and is worth a periodic review.

And of course I must share it with you too so we can all cling to youth together and blog into the happily-ever-after.

*Note:  Notes in italics are Dor’s current reactions.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

 ~Author Unknown

• Throw out nonessential numbers like Age or Weight.  You should let the doctor worry about those things.   I do love this one.  My doctor is getting old though so he has his own worries.
• Keep only cheerful friends. Grouches will pull you down.  Ahh! And you should also stay cheerful so your friends will not perceive you as a grouch!
• Keep learning. Uh oh!  I have just taken a vow to stop learning!
• Learn about the computer! (Are they kidding? That’s all I do!).
• Never let the brain be idle.  Drat!  I was looking forward to an idle brain with no learning challenges.
• Enjoy all the simple things. Is lounging in a deck chair simple enough?
• Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.  O.K., I do type “LOL” on blogger pals’ very funny blog posts, and my son makes me laugh so hard I cry (and have to change slacks).
• Love yourself.  The only person with you for your entire life is you.  (Me? As my own lifelong companion?).
• Surround yourself with what you love, family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.  Family and pets are good but would chocolate be all right? The doctor could take care of the weight!
• Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it.  If it is unstable, improve it.  If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.  I am in the preservation mode verging on unstable and heading toward unimproved so cherishing is a good idea.
• Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. Give me a break!  Guilt has been my ultimate destination since childhood!  
• Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity. I tried that once but Bill began to question all the attention!

Do you have any tips that make sense to add to this list?  I am not quite sure it will work on its own.

Maybe we can create a manual that would substitute for the Fountain of Youth and bury it somewhere to be found in 10,000 years.

We might even be around to verify its authenticity.

Read Full Post »

Dessert First

I just received this in an email.  It had no title, so I gave it the heading, “Dessert First.”  It made me smile and helped me put things in perspective.  I hope you enjoy it too.

DESSERT FIRST

Author Unknown

 One day I had lunch with some friends.   Jim, a short, balding golfer
type about 80 years old, came along with them—all in all, a pleasant
bunch.

When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and
soups, except for Jim who said, “Ice Cream, please. Two scoops.”

I wasn’t sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. “Along
with heated apple pie,” Jim added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time..
But when our orders were brought out, I didn’t enjoy mine.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Jim as his pie a-la-mode went down. The
other guys couldn’t believe it. They ate their lunches silently and
grinned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Jim.
I lunched on white meat tuna. He ordered a parfait.

I smiled. He asked if he amused me

I answered, “Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible? “ He
laughed and said, “I am tasting all that’s Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life’s so
short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (He grinned) I haven’t been this
old before.

So, before I die, I’ve got to try those things that for years I had
ignored.

I haven’t smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many trout streams
I haven’t fished.  There are fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to
be flown overhead.

There are too many golf courses I haven’t played.  I’ve not laughed at
all the jokes. I’ve missed a lot of sporting events and potato chips
and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face I want to
sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want
un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven’t cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I
need to feel wind on my face. I want to be in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should
I die before night fall, I’d say I died a winner, because I missed out
on nothing.
I filled my heart’s desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my
life expired.”

With that, I called the waitress over.. “I’ve changed my mind,” I
said.   “I want what he is having, only add some more whipped cream!”

Read Full Post »