I recently read an article listing the blessings of living a long time. Borrowing a bit from the article, let’s find those blessings. We all want to live a long time; we just don’t want to get old.
Is that possible?
I have decided I like the person I turned out to be. I’m okay with being 95. That’s good, since there’s not much I can do about it.
I wouldn’t trade my friends, my experiences, my good memories for less gray hair or a flatter stomach. But don’t test me about wrinkles.
I know I am blessed to have lived this long. Many have not been this fortunate. Many of my friends and family who are my age and younger have passed. Thousands of people, mostly men, in my generation were killed in the wars.
I have become pretty kind to myself as I’ve grown older, and I’m happy to say I’ve turned out to be my own best friend. There are so many pleasures and indulgences one can enjoy in old age that weren’t possible during the early years. For instance, I don’t feel guilty about my weird eating habits, not making my bed every morning, or buying a pretty dish I don’t need. I think age allows us to do just what we want to, most of the time. So I go for it!
What is the harm if you stay on the computer or watch TV until 2 a.m., then sleep half the next day? And you don’t have to explain to your children, because they don’t know!
Learn to entertain yourself, especially if you live alone. Talk out loud to make sure you are listening. Make yourself laugh. That’s a good thing.
So much of life is carved by the people around us and how open we are to letting them become a part of our lives. Think of all the past paths we have chosen over the years. I hope yours were mostly good.
If you play “what if” you may be shocked. A biggie is “what if” you didn’t marry your partner. You would have raised different children than ones you have!
Forgetfulness is not really a blessing, but it comes with old age, and I know I am sometimes forgetful. That’s ok … some things are just as well forgotten. I eventually remember the important things. Still, I would like to remember a name when I need to, and whether I have put sugar in my coffee before I put it in again.
A word to the young. I once heard, “If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” A few guys would not have played football!
Over the years, I have known sadness, but broken hearts are supposed to give us strength, understanding, and compassion … let’s hope not just a bad disposition!
I am not going to live forever, but while I’m here, I’m going to be positive and enjoy myself and my friends and family. I am not going to worry about what could have been or, most importantly, what is yet to be. I’m just going to enjoy the promised gifts of old age. And there are many.
Jeanette Smith, 95, a Blythewood resident, has been active in the community’s civic affairs for over 50 years.