Marching On

Old Age is Not for Sissies

Art Linkletter says, “Old age isn’t for sissies.”

This is such a good thought that I wanted to add to this past post of last year and add some new thoughts to it.

I realize how true this statement by Art is the more as I am around the beautiful oldest of the old folks such as my mom (who is almost 96), and the folks at her new place. I am inspired by their smiles and their courage to face each day.

In 1956 there were 56,000 Centenarians in America, (people who had reached the remarkable milestone of living to 100 years old.)

Research from Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Boston University of Medical Campus and the Harvard University Gazetter 1998 suggests that by the year 2050, there will be one million Centenarians.

Will you be one of these remarkable ones. More importantly, if you are, will you be living healthy and strong.

“It’s never too late to start (addressing your health and fitness)

It’s always too late to wait.” ~ Jeff Olson (The Slight Edge)

The following poem was found as I did extensive research some years back on Centenarians (those who have reached the remarkable old age of 100). This research resulted in a Free Report, which I created telling the stories of many of these remarkable Centenaries I studied. I will be offering this report as a free gift again soon. One story I loved so much was the story of Abe Goldberg, who has used ballroom dancing as his mode of exercise for more than thirty years. “I danced my way through my eighties, nineties, on my 100th birthday and every year since then.”

This story reminds me of a lady John and I met at the Senior Center Dance events. We will call her Francine. Francine was about 5 feet or less tall with no stooping shoulders at all. She always wore high heel shoes and could dance with perfect skill and balance. The last time I talked with Francine, she was 99. I understand that she attended her 100-year-old birthday dance with joy and health. She graduated on to heaven peacefully a few days later.

The Will to Live
The Courage to Grow Old

We should not drag our feet
When time commands, “March on”‘
We should step out briskly,
Within our hearts, a song.
Our memory is a mirror
Through which we view the past
With melancholy pleasure
But such moments cannot last.
We have to face the future
With joys and griefs unknown;
Let spiritual growth continue
So we do not walk along.

~ Mary Edwards Renaker, 100
Lexington, Kentucky