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Clark Rose's avatar

Well written and thought provoking article Terrell. Ironically, I am in Florida, visiting my 99 year old Mom. She has outlived the battery power of her 22 year old pace maker for her heart and had a new one surgically installed at the hospital yesterday. The new one only has an 8 year warranty and now I’m concerned she may need to go through another operation at the age of 107. 😱 Fortunately she came thru the anesthesia with her mild dementia no worse off and her radiant, joyful smile intact. The doc didn’t even require an overnight hospital visit so we returned to the independent living facility where she insisted on having dinner with her friends. (Perhaps wanting to inspire others or show the world she is quite resilient.). Anyway, she never ceases to amaze and inspires the heck out of me. Obviously, every situation is different, but I am blessed with a fabulous Mom who still wants to “be here” and looks forward to each beautiful sunrise over the Atlantic. Her secret sauce ingredients: great genes, curious mind, still a very good Bridge player, loves people and has younger friends ( by necessity), walks about a mile through out the day , occasional Scotch drinker, and never overeats. She has maintained a slim figure for 99 years. Maybe there is something to be said for a modest form of “vanity” into old age?

My conclusion: Love life, love yourself and others, and be joyful and kind to everyone you meet. As my Mom would tell you: Having a fabulous husband for 70 years was the icing on the cake. After further reflection she would say, “it was the cake”! 🥰

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Brad Dobson's avatar

Thanks for this! It's the type of thing I'm writing about. With advances in longevity and healthcare we need to build the skills to thrive later in life: it doesn't help just to live longer.

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