Barring any serious or chronic medical conditions that would render a person sedentary as he or she ages, there seem to be two different types of elderly people in the world: Those who sit around complaining about life and waiting to die and those who have every intention of living each and every moment to the fullest right up until their last drawn breaths. I’ve decided I want to be in the latter group.
My Italian grandfather was definitely in that group. He could still do 100 pushups beyond age 90 and continued to work around his house, visit with others, provide for himself in his own home and delight those he met with quick-witted jokes and harmonica music on a regular basis. I once asked him what his favorite age had been and he said, “I’ve never stopped to think about it.” The comment was filled with hidden wisdom, as many of his conversations were. He was trying to teach me not to worry about things like that, meaning whether I was happier one moment than the next, but just to live and to live well.
Here’s another lady who belongs in the living-life-to-the-fullest club: https://www.facebook.com/becauseofthemwecan/videos/1275687719147777/
I’ve watched this delightful video several times. Upon first glance, it’s easy to see this beautiful lady is aging; yet, her spirit, her energy, her zeal and passion for life soars above most 30-year-olds I know. To some, this might be nothing more than a cute video of an elderly lady dancing. I see so much more. I see vitality and someone bursting at the seams with so much joy it simply oozes out of her. I see someone who loves life so much, she can’t help but do a little dance when she hears the music start to play. In fact, I’d venture a bet that she’d probably still get her groove on even if there weren’t any music playing.
I can’t really recall the last time I was on the way out the door and felt an overwhelming compulsion to boogie. Most times I’m heading out, there’s a list of errands running through my mind, I’m trying not to trip over the shoes my kids have left on the deck and I’m wondering if turned off the coffee pot or left anyone behind that should be coming with me.
We only get one life. If we’re blessed to see our 100th birthdays, we have a choice to make. We can be grumpy, miserable, dissatisfied and ornery, never going outside, socializing with others or doing much other than complaining, or, we can shake our groove things like the lady in the video. We can quit analyzing every moment and disappointment in our lives and embrace our present moments, like my grandfather.
I know which choice I hope to make if I ever live to see 100.
How about you?
Writer Bio
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
