The thing is, be they chance encounters with passersby, chats with long-time friends or are brief interviews by design, conversations can lead us to new and unexpected horizons.
My recent visit with one centenarian led me to moments of contemplative solitude reading the words of another. Stanley Kunitz’s words and my mention of these encounters in turn led to insightful conversations with friends closer to my own age.
I am nowhere near my own century mark, nor am I a spring chicken. I have a few outward scars from surgeries, accidents, and gravity – and a few inward ones that we all acquire in life, but, the thing is, I am still here.
I have pondered at how quickly the years have passed and how they now seem to speed faster and faster by. The thing is, I AM still here, in relatively good health, with a loving family, wonderful friends, and a consistent flow of possibilities.
I do not know if I will make it to 100 years, or, if I do, that I will be as lucid and capable as the two centenarians that are roaming around in my thoughts. I do know that they can be a benchmark. My benchmark. A new benchmark. My own aging expectations have not been that high. You see, my father passed away at 52 and my mother was just turning 67, but, what if 100 is the new goal post? That would mean I’m actually still in my middle ages, and you, perhaps, aren’t even yet middle-aged, and on and on we go.
. . . And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return, we can only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game . . . Joni Mitchell
I love how you are writing so beautifully, many of my thoughts recently, as I just turned 70. Despite hills and valleys, I feel like I have been blessed with such a fortunate life. If it ended tomorrow, I would have to say, “Thank you!” However, I’m not ready to end the journey yet, so I am still hoping for many more memorable days. I like your new benchmark of 100! Let’s go for it!
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Thank you for your kind words, Donna. I appreciate them.
Hills and valleys – and yes, blessings. Me too. Here’s looking to the upcoming decades. Off we go . . . 🙂
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Even if the benchmark has changed, at three-quarters of a century I am very nearly there. We are grateful for every day and try to enjoy the destination and not dwell too much on the ultimate destination. My Aunt who lived to 105 and enjoyed almost every minute of it in good health and spirits is my role model.
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Good words and advice, Sallie. It is truly the journey that counts.
Your Aunt sounds quite remarkable and a good role model for sure. I hope those genes have transferred to you. At three-quarters, you are still very active, traveling, doing things with family in the northwest, and all across the country.
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This is just perfectly considered, Penny. I have a version of this conversation with a few friends quite often. I cringe, shake my head and get quite bothered when some of them comment on “our age” with the pronouncement that we are in our last days! I always, except for the one or two I can no longer persuade, ask to be taken off of their list. I always say I’m shooting for 100, with the option to renew my option for a few more years when I hit that mark. If we don’t keep open to that possibility, we probably won’t make it. Longevity plus good health is a true blessing and we never know, but I’d like to think of preserving myself the best I can to achieve that potential. I love your statement that you live with “a consistent flow of possibilities.” That is a rich and satisfying life, Penny. I think you’ve done some wonderfully beneficial contemplating!
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” . . . with the option to renew my option for a few more years” Love it, Debra!
I keep learning more and more about life from my so-called elders, many of whom have more get-up-and-go than others much younger than they are. Thank you for you thoughtful and kind words. Let’s keep blogging toward that mark, my friend. 🙂
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All I know is that if I go tomorrow I have lived a wonderful life . Every day is a gift to me. Some mornings I wake up and think how fast time has gone by. This is beautiful Penny , thank you!
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Every day IS a gift. Right you are, Gerlinde. You have a wonderful outlook on life. You are most welcome – and I thank you for your kind words. Just about to brew a cup of tea and have a little lunch – slowly. 🙂
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So much to think about, so many hopes for the future, such possibilities in the 21st century. You were eloquent as always. Donna, I too just turned 70. It has given me pause to reflect on what I call goals. I have kept a daily journal for all the years of my marriage. I just started reading them at the beginning and laughed at what I wrote at age 54! My mother felt like age was a state of mind. I like that. The lesson to be learned is to not spend too much time on the past or the future but to hold on to each new day.
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Thank you, Marilyn. I appreciate it.
It is amazing to look back at our journals/diaries/thoughts. I admire you for keeping your journaling up. I like the thought of age being a state of mind as well. Sometimes, my bones ache and I feel the passage of time, then, I realize I am just me! Any age. I do try to hold on to each day and always start each one hoping I can be productive and maybe a blessing to someone.
Cold here today, and snow, but, we are on the other side of winter. 🙂
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I love your new benchmark, Penny! Being mindful of each moment and counting our blessings out loud will make our journey ever so sweet! ♡
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Absolutely, Dawn. Right now, I’m grateful to be in a warm home, able to connect with so many (like you), and about to brew a cup of tea and have a little something for lunch. Stay warm – and keep crafting.
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So nice! I’m heading out for a little shoveling workout… before it gets even colder! Warm hugs! ♡
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I’ll mark 73 in a couple of months. As long as God’s willing, I’m aiming for that 120 number found in Genesis 6:3!! 🙂
This is a lovely post, Penny.
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Good number! An age to aspire to. I’m in. Well, actually, I’m in after I make it to 100. 🙂
Thank you, Karen.
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I hope to live as long as I can have a meaningful life. The longer I live, the further the goalpost moves. 🙂 Like you and Debra above, I refuse to be labeled with “my age” or embrace the expectations that go along with it. I’ve always believed we’re as young as we feel, and on days when we don’t feel it, FAKE IT! 🙂
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I know what you mean, Andra. That goalpost does move ahead. I’m just old, er, young enough to remember a time when we weren’t supposed to trust anyone over 30. 🙂 Yep. Some days we fake it, but, most days, we embrace who we are.
At any rate, YOU have a lot more books to finish, so, off you go… 🙂
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I can understand the need to contemplate after visiting someone over 100 years old. I’ve been thinking about age a lot lately, too, Penny. I see so many younger adults who are eager to start their lives after college who look at older people like me not as someone with wisdom to share, but as someone who needs to get out of the way. 🙂 I used to resent that. But now, I realize there is a beauty to having attained my age. Some aspects of wisdom only come with age.
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I wonder if this is just a part of being a younger adult, or a symptom of the times we live in. I’ve seen it as well; an aggressiveness that is part determination and part just plain rude. I’ve often gotten along better with my elders than those my own age, which come from living in a multi-generation home growing up. At any rate, L. Marie, there is most certainly “a beauty to having attained” your age – any age.
You have so much to offer, with knowledge and insights, and you are someone I admire.
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What a profound and beautiful post Penny. I’m glad to end my day with it! Like you, I need some new benchmarks for age too. My family is sort of hit or miss in the longevity department. I didn’t know your father died so young. Mine did too, at 50. The good thing you get from that is to not take old age for granted. The bad thing you get from that is to not take old age for granted! 😉
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Oh, Janet, you are so kind. Thank you. I hope you had a good night’s rest and are staying warm on this frigid day. At least the sun is out. 🙂
The more you and I share, the more I realize how similar our early life’s experiences have been (including Ted Williams). You were very young when your father died, and Anton and Kate when Fred died. I think you put aging in a wonderfully proper perspective – not to take old age for granted. Here’s hoping we will enjoying a cup of whatever, even when you move away, and good conversation for many years to come.
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What a thoughtful and wise post, Penny. It’s really got me thinking about age as I watch my 70th birthday approaching fast. That’s the age at which both my father and my grandmother died and I’ve already outlived my mother. Only my grandfather lived longer – until he was 76. So my aim at the moment is to reach and hopefully pass that age and then I’ll think about aiming for my century.
What I cannot understand is the younger people I’ve heard declairing that they don’t want to live to be very old, as though age is something always to be feared. Like you I’ve always got on well with much older people and know what wisdom age can bring and also how much old people can still enjoy life. I certainly plan to age with enjoyment, despite the aches and twinges.
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Thank you, Perpetua. We have these milestones in our lives that we set our eyes on, and sometimes don’t see beyond that, which has often been my folly. You are an inspiration to me with your words, your travels, the music you share (and the fact that you are learning to play an instrument, with the guidance of your grandson). All good things.
I wonder if that is the folly of youth, or that they are not really spending time with older men and women. I think I was very fortunate to have lived my childhood in a multi-generational home. Here is to that enjoyment for many, many years.
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Thanks, Penny! I’m so glad to have met you through Andra! I admire you too. 😀
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Interesting contemplative post. I’m 52 and I’ve really noticed lately how much older I am than my colleagues and how difficult I find it to keep up with the technology, yet retirement is not an option for a decade or more!
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The impact of technology is profound, and I think it will continue to be a challenge as it becomes a bigger and bigger part of our world, especially our work world. From teaching to medicine to science and even art, its effect is felt. It is really amazing to me that it is already beginning to impact your generation. Yikes!
It is always nice hearing from you, Nicola, and having your perspective. Thank you.
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Well Penny, I certainly hope that you keep on going round and round on life’s carousel, and 100 sounds like a pretty good goal. For myself, as long as I can stay fit and healthy, I plan to be here, but not to outlive my usefulness either. Thank you for another thought-provoking post.
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I truly hope for the same, Juliet. The 100 year goal is in contrast to the one I’ve carried for so long, which to make it past 67, which was the age my mom passed away. (and the age I am now approaching). Thank you, Juliet. It was really nice seeing your name appear.
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Isn’t that so interesting Penny, the way we set the bench mark according to when our mothers died? 67 is pretty young so you should have no trouble beating that! My mum died at 84.
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