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SOME OF US GOT SPUNK!
By wisdom | July 26, 2011
Yesterday, we attended a surprise birthday party for a 94 year old. She is a little stooped but quite fit. They tell that, if she goes on outings and people rush to help her out of her seat in the car, she tells them, “No thanks, I’ll do it myself. If I need help, I’ll ask for it.” And she proceeds slowly to get herself back on her two feet.
Well, the surprise was not only her party but also a ride on a motorcycle. This, it seems, was on her bucket list. So some bikers came around, showed her a spiffy motorbike with a bow on it, gave her a custom t-shirt to wear, and her own helmet with the words that celebrated her 94th birthday. She got up on the bike, put her arms around her driver, and off they went for a ten minute ride that fulfilled a lifelong dream. When she came back, she had a big smile on her face, and even though some big strapping guys had to lift her off the back seat, she was not even a little wobbly
Meantime, today I had a doctor’s visit for a check-up. When I went over to the doctor’s office, I found a roomful of senior citizens, some very frail, using inhalators, wheelchairs, canes, walkers and other life-sustaining devices, and for all I knew, not a one of them was 94 – probably more a spread between 50 and 80. What’s the difference? Is it all genetics? Or is there a little bit of attitude? Fortunate karma? If you’re surrounded by caring loved ones or if you have the means to support yourself in a good quality of life. But even this is not always the case because we know of ill people who have means, and may even have family around them (in fact, I know cases where the malingerer milks the illness for self gratification by remaining in the helpless victim role).
In our society, we extend sympathy and nurturing to those who suffer, and the healthcare industry especially is large because of the desire not to allow people to suffer and become enfeebled if there is any way to prevent that. But most often, the best way to prevent the infirmities of age is not just through means (wealth) or through loving helpers, but by a mindset. A mindset that reaches out to the human race, wants to be engaged, feels continually purposeful and useful, wants to contribute, and above all continues to frame events as positive, or perhaps only momentarily negative, returning as soon as feasible to the sunnier outlook.
Gladys, the 94 year old biker chick, was an inspiration to me. I want to keep checking things off my bucket list too!
Topics: Judi's Musings, Thoughts on Level 2 | 1 Comment »
August 14th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Nice blog Judi…I really enjoyed this post…so true !
Love you guys..take care !!!
Hugs, Lynn XXOO