Life Lessons From 100-Year-Old Americans Who Didn't Expect To Live So Long

[Troy]

I know @aka Contrarian is not 100 yet, but this video made me think of her.

 

Older people especially the ones with all their marbles really fascinate me.

 

I met a woman, a sister, last week who is 96.  She still drives and looks great!  She graduated from Hampton in the early 50s. 

 

I think longevity like anything else is a combination of genes, environment, and good or bad luck.  Out living all your friends is bittersweet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Pioneer1]

No matter the land or language or religion, there seems to be a common regret among most people who live to be of an advanced age.......

They wish they hadn't let fear stop them from doing certain things.

 

[aka Contrarian]

@Troy I found the video interesting and pretty much typical of what 100-year-old- people have to say. 

 

As far as age is concerned, I adhere to the old cliche about it being just a number. 92 - 29, whatever. Let's hear it for your 96- year-old acquaintence who's still driving!

 

On August 18th, 1951, at the age of 18, I celebrated my "golden" birthday! And golden I was. Just graduated from high school and was poised to enter my first year at the University of Illinois where a whole new world awaited me. 

The most enduring lessons I learned there, however, were not in the books. I learned who I was,

and basicsally I'm still that same person. I've never stopped being that 18-year-old who viewed the world through skeptical eyes, and preferred to do this from a place of comfort in a situation where I didn't have to exert myself too much. Hence, my 30-year job as a "flexible" clerk at the Post Office, - where I completed my lessons in life, penning a weekly newspaper column along the way.

 

I married a guy who understood me, and who made me laugh. We shared a love of jazz and movie trivia and - each other. One month after our 50th wedding anniversary, he passed.

I miss him every day. Every time I smell a particular cologne I think of him. Certain songs tug at my heart. A widow's pension is part of my monthly income.

In addition to giving birth to 5 kids, after retiring from my job, I self-published 5 books - which obviously were not best-sellers. 

 

I am neither religious nor nurturing. No baking brownies for me, but Nana is still referred to as being "cool". 

I do miss my siblings and all my krazy friends who've passed on. They contributed so much to what was fun and unique about my life.

 

I do not consider myself an inspiration, and I have no advice to offer any one, nor have I yet discovered what my purpose for being here is.

I agree that longevity does have a lot to do with luck. I've never watched my diet, never given up sugar, red meat  and have a heavy hand with the salt shaker. 'Smoked and drank up into my 70s.

 

But here I am, - until I'm not...

[ProfD]

1 hour ago, aka Contrarian said:

I agree that longevity does have a lot to do with luck. I've never watched my diet, never given up sugar, and have a heavy hand with the salt shaker. Smoked and drank up into my 70s.

I also believe luck is the biggest factor when it comes to longevity.

 

I've seen relatively healthy younger folks leave the planet suddenly and older folks who engaged in decades of what they consider *destructive behavior*,

 

@aka Contrarian, despite those days of being in a holding pattern, I think it's great that you've had a long fruitful life.

 

Especially those years spent as a wife. Reads like you and your husband had a blast together. Music and laughter...it doesn't get much better.