But, what was remarkable to me was that the jovial lady in question was overweight! For decades I've been told that if you're fat you'll die at a younger age. I was a fat child and I often wondered if I would survive until I turned 60 in the distant future year of 2000. Of course, I did and it was actually the best year of my life for a number of reasons.
I retired from my job in 2005 in part because I felt like I didn't have many years left to live and I wanted to enjoy them. I have been enjoying retirement a lot! So, I revised my life expectation upward to 76--that's the age at which each of my parents died. Since I'm going to be 72 in less that two months, that would have moved up my demise to within four years or so.
However, now that I know we plus-size gals can hang in there for much longer, I'm revising my life expectancy upward again! Hell, I might even make it to 80 or 85!
I should mention that I am working at being healthy and I've taken off some weight just to give it my best shot. All things considered, I just might pull it off!
So, now I should probably start a new Bucket List!
Puddling up at my 60th Birthday Party in 2000 when my kids gave me a group picture
17 comments:
The picture brings back SOOO many good memories. It was so magical and heart warming.
I hope your here longer than 85 !!!
I will send you a telegram on your 100th b day;-).
Be nice to yourself - we does the best we can and we takes our chances in the lottery of (this) life! Most of the "healthy" sporty types I know carry around the most outrageous injuries and health problems and quite a few have popped their clogs early (usually while pounding the pavements). Have fun, tell worry to naff off wherever/whenever you can (it's not always possible) and remember that the object is not to arrive at the funeral with a perfect body - it's to arrive late, swallowing a last bite of cheesecake, washing it down with champagne and barely conscious - chased by the Police ...
Ms Sparrow you are a mere fledgling ...remember John the bee keeper, 95 and still climbing ladders.
It makes sense to look after our bodies, but the most important thing is to keep your mind young and active, and you certainly do.
Having lost my sister when she was 29, I started to think that was as far as I would get. When I made it to 30, I thought I'd better stop thinking that way. Then my father died when he was 60 and I've worked hard ever since to keep those thoughts out of my head. Maybe I'll be gone tomorrow. Maybe I'll live to 110. No sense putting things off, but no sense counting myself out either. Wishing you lots of new opportunities in a long, happy, and healthy life (but maybe no skydiving)!
My Dad promised to drive me to my 100th birthday party!
Jane x
Chic: That was such a wonderful time at the lodge in Itasca!
Shagrat: I'll take you up on that offer!
Owl: I like your philosophy-- especially the bit about the cheesecake and champagne. Being chased by the police sounds terribly interesting but not my style. Of course, that might change if I hang around long enough!
Elaine: John is certainly a role model for staying young. I sometimes think the British have longer lifespans than us. Maybe it's because of your cool, moist environment!
Mitch: Isn't it sad that we do that do ourselves? It's not like I carried around a sense of doom, but there are things I bought years ago thinking they would last me the rest of my life. Now, I'll have to replace them!
Jane & Chris: I like your dad's attitude! Long may he celebrate your birthdays with you!
A lot of its down to luck, I know of several people who've lived a very healthy life only to die young. So you never know! I'm sure you've got many years ahead!
It's terrible what the media and doctors do to people, like the TV ad I saw recently with a supposed doctor standing on the street corner with a full length mirror saying folks walking by need to look at themselves and their health, preporting looking at one's self being overweight presupposes one is unhealthy. I gained a bunch of weight when 10 different doctors couldn't diagnose my thyroid was low, I almost went into a coma and died. Now every time I go to the doctor they say they need to test me for high cholesterol and diabetes since I am overweight. I always come out ok due to the good foods I try to eat, no soft drinks, few if any processed sweets, etc. So keep doing what you are doing and phooey on all that skinny is best bologna. I've heard of bucket lists, but sky diving will not be on mine, travel is what I'd like to do more of. Ha.
Hi Crafty: Life is a crap-shoot but I'm beginning to realize that it works both ways. You can be a total health nut and die young and you can do everything wrong and live to be 100! I guess I'm just getting a little more relaxed about it!
Linda Starr: Thank goodness my thyroid was diagnosed early so I've been on medication for that. I took off 30 pounds so my cholesterol and blood sugar improved a lot. I saw that commercial you refer to and it's just one that keeps pushing that same message. The funny thing is that now researchers are backing away from some of their claims about the effects of cholesterol and salt.
I've decided that the real goal is to feel as good as possible so that we can really LIVE for as long as we are alive. Eating (mostly) well and being (a little) active give me more energy and a sense of well-being. All this is becoming clearer to me as I am forcibly sedentary because of the broken leg. I think you just prompted me to get blogging again. Thanks for that!
Nancy: I'm so sorry to hear the leg was broken. What a lousy time of the year to be laid up! Does that mean you aren't taking care of the kids? I have always found that I feel better when I'm online. So, it would do us all good if you'd get back to blogging and let us know how it's going for you!
I really love your attitude and joy for life. In about 10 years I will be a senior myself (I am 55 now). I try not to listen to "percentages" as far as when people die. Both my parents died in their 60's and neither of them were "fat". In fact, they were very slim. I really think that a positive and loving attitude really helps so much...no matter what size we are. I love your blog, thank you so much for sharing.
Linda: I'm sorry you lost your parents at such a young age. Your delightful blog shows that you have a great outlook of life and a lot to share.
Don't sell yourself short! Aim for 100!
All I can add is something Sara Brokaw (author of Fortytude -- no I haven't read the book) said in an interview: "There's no expiration date" when asked about regrets and it being to late to accomplish anything.
And I second what Owl Wood said!
Janet
I agree with Knatolee...why not 100? We just might see you in the sky next haha
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