"This is the first year I've felt old....."

Uncle Sam, 88 years of age and Aunt Edi, 90 shared these words with us this summer.  Wow!  I have been honored with the opportunity to spend time getting to know my husband's paternal aunt and uncle in 2010. These two have been incredibly active and social during their lifetime.  They love each other in a way only those who have been married for 70 years can love.  They have experienced his military service as a young man, raised and buried children and melded together over time. Sam and Edi are two amazing people.

Among many qualities, one that makes them amazing is, at their age, they don't spend any time talking about how their bodies feel.  I've spent evenings with people in their late 40's to late 50's who complain about their knees creaking and backs aching.  It seems Sam and Edi's ability to overlook small inconveniences caused by their aging structure has allowed them far more freedom to move!  They have a "just do it" attitude.  It helps keep them young.

If I can say, when I am in my late 80's, "this is the first year I've felt old...."  I will consider myself to have succeeded in keeping an attitude of grace, perseverance and truth.  I hope I will not wear my aging bodily functions as a badge on my vest.  Rather, I plan to wear my joy filled smile as a badge.

(c) 2011 Daphne Keys