I read a fun age-related article this morning on the web. It’s titled, Clean Living Key to Long Life? Don’t Believe It!

The article points out that genes are far more influential to longevity than clean living. I can relate to this one. In a previous post, I wrote about my friend, Mary, who just celebrated her 95th birthday. I’ve drilled Mary about what she’s done to live so long. I didn’t hear anything that sounded that healthy to me. She smoked, dipped snuff and ate a typical southern diet of fried vegetables and meats. She’s had multiple surgeries, including cancer of the stomach surgery. She’s recovered from them all.

What I do see in her is a fierce determination not to give up, an uncanny ability to let go of hurts, a trust in God, and a voracious appetite. She prepares and eats whatever she wants.

She takes one medication to keep blood pressure down. She credits a daily multi-vitamin for keeping her healthy. She gave up cigarrettes when they hit $1.00 a pack and lost her taste for snuff after the stomach-cancer surgery. She said she’s always been active and she still has goals. One is to find out how Ashton Kutcher does in Charlie Sheen’s role on 2-1/2 Men!

I don’t mean to diminish Mary in any way. She’s an incredibly strong woman who’s spent her life in service to others. Clean living describes her life in many ways. She believes that God numbered her days before she was born, and when He’s ready He’ll take her home. I hope He’s not in a hurry. Mary is a delight to know.

Has anyone in your life lived past 90?

Have a great day!

Mary often says, “I’m as happy as a clam!”

©2011 BLN
Personal Picture

Baby boomers have the power to positively impact health-care reform in America. Not only do we have the power, we have the responsibility to live a healthy lifestyle and stay strong  for as long as possible. Click here to read my full article on this subject.

©2011 BLN

I’m sitting here with no place to go. Our area had almost a foot of snow, which is unusual. It closed down the city. My husband loves the free days off. I’m enjoying his free time, as well, but this snow doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere soon. We live over a mountain, so the hubs may be home bound a couple more days. I predict a bout of cabin fever!

It makes me wonder what retirement will be like. 24/7 is a lot of quality time. What’s the old saying? “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I find the older I get, the more territorial I get. I need my space and my routine. So does he. We’ve always liked the days we’re both home “puttering” separately, but could get a hug or share a sandwich at our leisure. That’s the delight of a long friendship/marriage.

What a month December was. Our Christmas felt like “It’s a Wonderful Life.” We always ring in Christmas a week before with my husband’s birthday. This year he celebrated his 60th with a 60′s Rock Star Party. We all dressed up like 60′s rock stars (or at least we tried!) and sang many great oldies from our youth. Who doesn’t love 60′s music? Mike loved both the music and the party, and so did we.

Our daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters were home for Christmas. We celebrated Christmas Eve outside with our church family. We sang hymns in the frosty weather, listened to the Christmas story, and watched an awesome fireworks display. When we looked out the window Christmas morning, everything had turned white, due to an unexpected snow. Big, beautiful snowflakes fell softly all Christmas day. It felt magical, like we were part of an amazing snow globe.

The happy events were just what we needed following December’s rantings and ravings from Congress and the many negative news reports from around the world. Life shouldn’t be this chaotic and cruel. Christmas reminded us that there’s still beauty in the world, and lots of good, decent people who love God and our country. We are blessed, in America, no matter the circumstances.

“Do not be afraid!  Stand firm; you will see deliverance. The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still.”

I trust the Lord. How about you?

©2011 BLN

Today I had the pleasure of delivering Community Food Garden vegetables to elderly people living on limited income. I’ve been doing this once a week for awhile now, and I never grow tired of it. I meet the nicest and most interesting people. Many of them are close to 90-years-old and still living independently. Isn’t that amazing? These people are thrilled to get fresh veggies delivered to their homes. I’m thrilled to have the privilege of delivering to them. They especially love tomatoes, okra, and greens of any kind.

Visiting the elderly teaches me a lot. In some ways it makes me nervous about aging. Every one of them have health problems, deal with pain on a daily basis, and suffer from the loss of beloved people in their lives. Those things are nothing to look forward to. Some of the people respond to age-related traumas by becoming hopeless and depressed. I can’t help feeling sorry for them.

On the other hand, I visit homes of people who are suffering but still have sparkle in their eyes. These people are often reading their Bible when I arrive and they tell me how much they love and rely on Jesus.”Katherine” is a good example of a hopeful person.

While in the hospital, Katherine suffered an overdose of a painkiller called fentanyl. She went into a coma and almost died. She’s left with crippling side-effects: her vision and hearing are impaired, as is her balance. She’s angry about what happened to her because of medical error, but refuses to let it define her life. She told me Jesus is always with her and helps her make it through every day. She’s still able to enjoy her life.

You’d be surprised how many elderly people live alone behind the many doors we drive by each day. They often have limited incomes, limited mobility, and some do not have bare necessities. If you have a chance, look into volunteering an hour or 2 to help the elderly in your community. You’ll find they give you as much as you give them.

“The oldest trees often bear the sweetest fruit.” German Proverb

Have a wonderful weekend!

©2010 BLN