Don't ask how or why, but over the past one week I have met some very amazing individuals. Most of these finest specimens of humankind were octogenarians. And, believe me, they are the most inspiring and invigorating, a.k.a "cool", people I've ever met. Despite the struggles, failures and the eventual disappointments of life, these silver-haired warriors fight on - with gentle courage, deep humor and a very practical sort of joi de vivre that defies belief.
There was the 85-year-old lady who reads a romance novel a day but still feels that the summer of 1945 was more enchanting than any of these novels. This was the year she got married and started her life with her husband. They remained together for 65 years till his death 2 years ago. She misses him but knows he is waiting for her to join him, which she intends to do in her own sweet time.
Then there was the 82-year-old "Pioneer" lady. She lives alone in her homestead-like crumbling mansion, in the middle of rural North America, on an isolated corn field. There is no other sign of civilization around for many miles. Its just her and her dogs; a large, docile German Shepard and a tiny and very volatile Shih-poo. She plants her own vegetables, mows her lawns, shovels snow from the extensive grounds surrounding her home, chases the coyotes away with her rifle, drinks a whiskey every night and goes for long walks in the woods in the winter.
The 85-year-old retired Physician who golfs in the summer and plays bridge in the winter with his fast friends was delightful. His wife of 66 years passed away recently. She suffered from Alzheimer's and he took care of her for about 3 years before her death. He felt it was only fair since she had taken care of him for the 63 years before that. At her deathbed, he'd read to her every day for 4-6 hours from some of her favorite books. He gets weepy thinking about her, but then the thought of having dinner with his great grandchildren cheers him.
The 80 year-old lady who lost 40-pounds over past 2 years by joining a diet and exercise group amazed me the most. Her diabetes is now diet-controlled, with no need of medications and she has made lost of new "young" 60-year old friends. 5 days a week, she swims for an hour and then walks for 2 miles. She was literally glowing with joy and life. Her goal is to reduce her weight by another 10 pounds and she estimates that it will take her another year to lose that.
Then there was the 82-year -old lady who has taken care of at least 5 terminally-ill family members and eased their last days. She does not have any savings left and lives hand-to-mouth. But is rich with the contentment that she did her duty to the best of her ability. She attends Church every day and cooks for Church events. Her books and her dogs are her companions.
These people cannot be found on the cover of any magazine and no newspaper has covered their lives. They haven't written memoirs and autobiographies. But to me, they are all heroes in their own right. It was a privilege to meet them.
There was the 85-year-old lady who reads a romance novel a day but still feels that the summer of 1945 was more enchanting than any of these novels. This was the year she got married and started her life with her husband. They remained together for 65 years till his death 2 years ago. She misses him but knows he is waiting for her to join him, which she intends to do in her own sweet time.
Then there was the 82-year-old "Pioneer" lady. She lives alone in her homestead-like crumbling mansion, in the middle of rural North America, on an isolated corn field. There is no other sign of civilization around for many miles. Its just her and her dogs; a large, docile German Shepard and a tiny and very volatile Shih-poo. She plants her own vegetables, mows her lawns, shovels snow from the extensive grounds surrounding her home, chases the coyotes away with her rifle, drinks a whiskey every night and goes for long walks in the woods in the winter.
The 85-year-old retired Physician who golfs in the summer and plays bridge in the winter with his fast friends was delightful. His wife of 66 years passed away recently. She suffered from Alzheimer's and he took care of her for about 3 years before her death. He felt it was only fair since she had taken care of him for the 63 years before that. At her deathbed, he'd read to her every day for 4-6 hours from some of her favorite books. He gets weepy thinking about her, but then the thought of having dinner with his great grandchildren cheers him.
The 80 year-old lady who lost 40-pounds over past 2 years by joining a diet and exercise group amazed me the most. Her diabetes is now diet-controlled, with no need of medications and she has made lost of new "young" 60-year old friends. 5 days a week, she swims for an hour and then walks for 2 miles. She was literally glowing with joy and life. Her goal is to reduce her weight by another 10 pounds and she estimates that it will take her another year to lose that.
Then there was the 82-year -old lady who has taken care of at least 5 terminally-ill family members and eased their last days. She does not have any savings left and lives hand-to-mouth. But is rich with the contentment that she did her duty to the best of her ability. She attends Church every day and cooks for Church events. Her books and her dogs are her companions.
These people cannot be found on the cover of any magazine and no newspaper has covered their lives. They haven't written memoirs and autobiographies. But to me, they are all heroes in their own right. It was a privilege to meet them.
