Rainy Day Healing

 

Making My Peace … with 90-year-olds

 

I always knew that old people could do stuff. My grandfather made timepieces; my grandmother was in a “wandering” group; my father built a house; my mother landscaped the garden; my uncle ran thirteen marathons; my other uncle sewed his own suits; and my aunt made wheelchairs roll smoothly down a ramp.

At fifteen, everyone is old, but some act childish. Everyone is wise, but some act stupid. Everyone is strong, but some act weak. Everyone is sprightly, but some are doddery.  Fifty-year-olds, at fifteen, are old. Sixty-year-olds, at fifteen, are ancient.

Back then, when I was fifteen, 90-year-olds rarely existed – it seems. Now, they’re a dime a dozen – it too seems. And they are not in the closet. They are active: physically, socially, and mentally. Running, walking, dancing, cycling; on the phone, computer, and stationary bike; laughing, joking, and interested in other people’s lives.

 

I went to a 90-year-old’s birthday when she was still a fashion model. That was more than five years ago and she’s still sashaying. I went to my uncle’s 90^th birthday last week in Berlin, and he was cycling the 63 kilometre-long (39 mile) Lake Constance in Central Europe at the age of 88 – he’d still be cycling if he hadn’t broken his ankle last year. The next day in the same hotel venue, another Berliner was celebrating his 90^th birthday too. Bring it on, they say!!

 

 

What’s their secret to long life? It helps to be physically active, they say. Having friendship or extended family groups around them is a positive asset too. Roaming and rambling in nature is gentle on the knees and hips; as well as being a stress reliever and mind soother, they say. Anything outdoors clears away the “cobwebs” and keeps you breathing healthy air, they say. Not smoking or taking drugs are a given. And it helps to eat small healthy meals slowly and often, with a little wine if so inclined. Are good genes part of the equation, I ask. Could be, they say.

Making my peace with 90-year-olds, I learned the following:

• They have a lot of experience and wisdom,
• They keep young by acting young,
• They keep fit and healthy,
• They get regular health check-ups,
• They maintain an interest in current affairs,
• They are interested in family and friend groups,
• They do puzzles and word games to focus the brain on problem-solving,
• They love pets,
• They take blurry photographs because they don’t wear their glasses,
• They don’t answer the door because they can’t hear the doorbell,
• They play practical jokes on people,
• They are really cool.

 

 

 

 

 

Martina Nicolls: Rainy Day Healing – MAKING MY PEACE