A few years ago, prior to our move down here, we invited two widows (lets call them Anne and Jane) to share our Christmas lunch.
The first to be asked, Anne, was the younger of the two - I said I would go into town and pick her up as she considered herself too old to drive the 8 miles to our house.
When I asked the second lady, Jane, and told her I would also collect her she accepted the invitation but said she was quite capable of driving and would also bring Anne.
Jane has always considered age to just be a number and nothing to do with how she feels.
Anne turned 80 this year and is, unfortunately, now in a Rest Home whereas Jane, who broke her hip last year and is now 92 is still living in her own home and woe betide anyone who calls her old.
I am sure it is their respective attitudes to age that has made the difference.
Mind over matter. I keep convincing myself that I'm still a spring chicken. I hope it works!
ReplyDeleteOf course you are, you are younger than me so you must be!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so true...though some days I feel much older than my forty-something years LOL!
ReplyDeleteNote to myself; especially as my arthritis digs its claws into my useful joints, but if Cro can manage his Good Life acreage, then I ought to be able to carry on for a few years yet.
ReplyDeleteVery shrewd observations which I think are mainly true.
ReplyDeleteThere is hope for me then ? My Auntie is almost 92, still living on her own ... she is wonderful, however Genes are on the other side as she was married to my Uncle who has long passed.
ReplyDeleteStaying away from doctors improves attitude.
ReplyDeleteYou got me over my aches and pains this morning.
ReplyDeleteSpot on,Susan! My 88 year-old mother-in-law frequently gives lifts to friends and neighbours considerably younger than herself, but who have given up driving for one reason or another. She also has her regular round of visits to the housebound, all but one of whom are also younger than she is. It's partly genes, I think, but also attitude.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right Sue. My favourite person is a lady called Ethel. She's well in her 90's and lives in a little sheltered accommodation bungalow in Welshpool. She was my mother's best friend and served in the ATS during the war. She's such a joy to be with - and she sounds just like Jane,
ReplyDelete"Jane "still drives, although she no longer does long distances. She is not in sheltered accommodation but has a house on the typical "Kiwi" 1/4 acre section.
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