What’s Age Got To Do With It? Nothing!

Rave:

What’s age got to do with it?  According to my 96-year-old mother, NOTHING!  I notice that she is never focused on how old she is and is always surprised at the reactions of others when they ask her age.  Mom inspires others to think the same way just by being herself.

It’s not like she hasn’t experienced losses that remind her how old she is because she has.  Mom is the only remaining member of her immediate family and the last of her friends.  I can’t even imagine that.  I’d be curled up in a ball somewhere.  Not her.  Even though she has had her share of losses, it isn’t a place where she dwells for very long.

I am on a rowing team with 22 other women.  The youngest is 27, the oldest is…well, me.  The fact that there is a 42 year difference between us doesn’t register.  Actually, I take that back!  Writing it here makes me want to breathe in a bag!  Seriously though, it doesn’t stop me from participating and it certainly has never stopped Mom.  She goes to a gym twice a week.  She walks around her neighborhood, with the help of her aide, at least once a day.  Her aide comes from 8 to 1pm, 6 days a week.  One Sunday she told me she was going to walk outside to get some fresh air by herself. I remind her to take her walker after I am able to catch my breath.  “Oh, I’ll be fine.” is her response.  “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” I scream inside myself but outwardly I remind her in as calm a voice as possible, that if she fell she’d not be a happy camper.  “Okay, I won’t!”  Whew!  It’s like telling a teenager what the possible consequences could be for their actions.  And, you know what, I wouldn’t have it any other way!

It’s not like she hasn’t experienced losses that remind her how old she is because she has.

What’s age got to do with it?  That’s the look on her face when my sister Linda and I say, “Mom the doctor said you need to walk with your walker in the house.”  She sustains that look and says, “I’m experimenting.  I want to challenge myself.  I walk close to things so I can grab on and I haven’t had to grab yet.” While challenging herself she has been overheard saying, “I did it. I did it.”  Who can argue with that?

Attitude:

What’s age got to do with it?  Nothing.

Mom’s vibrant, winning smile

Mom’s flowers…the ones on her nails.

I began writing this blog to let the world know we are not a stereotypical group of people growing older. I wonder where I got that from.  I’m not saying you have to do it Mom’s way. However, every time you begin to think, “Well at my age I can’t do that or I shouldn’t do this…”

STOP!

Remember. Make up your own rules.

Let’s go for it together!  I’m game.        

Hope you are too.

Originally posted 2016-05-12 21:33:46.