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Growing Old with Beauty & Grace

It seems that as I get older, time passes more quickly – almost so quickly it’s hard to believe.

There are days when we talk about something that happened and we’ll think it happened last week or a couple of weeks ago, and when we get to checking, it’s been several months . . . or longer. Likewise, the future turns into history way too quickly!

We’re all getting older, and the older I get, the more I realize how precious each day is and the more I want to be sure I’m doing everything I can to make sure that I grow old “well”.

So what inspires me to want to grow old well? It’s my love of life. I enjoy every minute of every day and I want to continue to do so. Not only do I want to have a lot of years left, but I want to have a lot of good years left!

There are so many things I have left that I want to do . . . not only quilting and knitting but with a new grandchild on the way, I want her to have some of the same fond memories I have of my grandparents. I want her to remember seeing me growing my own garden and canning vegetables and getting down on the floor and playing with her and better yet . . . getting up when we’re done!

My parents are an example of folks who have grown old with beauty and grace.

My mom is a retired school teacher and she reads a lot! She recently bought a longarm quilting machine. She’s active in the local quilt guild.

My dad still has a huge garden, loves the computer and technology. Here he is playing with his new iPod Nano.

I’m counting on having good “grow old gracefully genes”. But, I want to do everything I can do to have the best old age I can have — healthy, happy and fun years!

The things that we’re personally doing around here to ensure that will happen are:

  • Eating healthy – I’m trying to grow a lot of our food and buy healthy foods – more fresh and less processed foods.
  • Exercise – Not only am I more aware of the need for an exercise program, I’m trying to stay more active and stay busy, both physically and mentally.
  • Being Careful – As I get older, I notice I can’t do some of the things the same way I once could. We needed steps for one of the side doors of the shop and at one time, we would have moved a big rock over there and used that but decided to put real steps with a hand rail. One fall could be a real setback as I get older.
  • Be Aware and Pro-Active – As I watch my parents grow older, I’m more aware of the changes I face now and in the future. By using my smart phone, I keep a list of things I want to discuss with my doctor so hopefully, any potential “old age” issues can be dealt with before becoming serious issues.

Therefore I’m excited about the new “Get Old” platform by Pfizer. We’re all getting older and it’s nice to have all the help we can get.

At “Get Old.” we can find inspiration and information to encourage people at any stage of the aging process to discuss, celebrate, and empower themselves about the aging process. Armed with camaraderie and information, we can improve the quality of our aging process, currently a major issue in our society.

How it Works

Get Old is about forming a community, asking people how they feel about growing older, and inviting people to share an emotion that expresses their feelings either through a story, a photo, or a video.

Connecting with people of all ages coming to terms with aging in a way that feels authentic and exciting will provide a support system and allow people to find pertinent tips and tools about how to face aging physically, emotionally, and mentally in a positive and proactive manner.

Pfizer knows we’re living longer, and they want to be sure we have the tools to live better, too. Living longer means more opportunities to have adventures or to rest, to encounter successes or failures, to live. And embracing all of those facets of aging allows us to live life to the fullest.

How about you answer these questions: What do you do to get old well? For your body? For your mind?

There are 13 bloggers participating in this Get Old program sponsored by Pfizer. Three winners will be chosen from the combined comments from all 13 blogs. Each of the three winners will receive a $500 SpaFinder Gift Card.

For your convenience, here are highlights from the Official Rules for the Sweepstakes. Please note by submitting an entry you are agreeing to the full Official Rules, available here.

No duplicate comments.

Please do not mention or imply any pharmaceutical products in your posts. Posts that mention or imply a pharmaceutical product will be subject to removal.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt at the bottom of this post.*
b) Read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
*Note: if you want to comment but either (i) are not eligible or (ii) do not want to enter the giveaway, please include something similar to the following statement in your comment: “I do not wish to enter the sweepstakes.”

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Medical professionals who are licensed (or are otherwise authorized) to prescribe medications are not eligible to enter. While BlogHer encourages you to share your thoughts and experiences about getting older, comments discussing medical conditions and/or medical products are not permitted, may be deleted, and are invalid entries. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

This sweepstakes runs from 6/18 to 8/31.

Be sure to check out the BlogHer.com Get Old page to find out more about the Get Old platform and read how other bloggers feel about aging!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. How to age well: 1. Don’t smoke. 2. Drink water 3. Wear sunscreen 4. Smile a lot. So, when the wrinkles do appear they will be in the right place. 🙂

  2. I try to stay young in mind to help me cope with aging. I also have changed my eating and exercise habits. I don’t have to be first, or the strongest, or the busiest any more. I take things more leisurely, try to worry less and have more fun. Life’s an adventure, growing old is too!

  3. I think one of the keys to aging well is to remember to be thankful for what you have… instead of wishing for more, or less, be thankful and you will live a joy filled life. Let’s face it, the problems with growing old are 50% in your head and 50% in your body. Do what’s right for your body AND your mental state!

  4. A positive attitude and a strong social support system are invaluable! Love, creativity, and activity (both physical and cognitive) are vital keys to happiness – at all ages, for that matter!

    sao in Midlothian, VA

  5. I just LOVE the photo of your curious techie Dad with the Nano!
    Thanks, Joanna

  6. I believe all of the above is so important, as well as good healthy friendships, great attitude towards each day, and being open minded, not being so structured…or rigid in things…each person has different goals..depends on their physical abilities..I find that with my limitations I have great friends and family! I am blessed!

    Judy your pictures you shared are wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing everything…

  7. We just have my Dad now-94 1/2. He stays as active as he can-goes to the Y 3 times a week to exercise in the pool. Does most everything on the computer, still lives by himself and cooks for himself. As he says if he moved in some where they wouldn’t make oyster stew for him for breakfast. Reads a lot and generally stays as busy as he can with the arthritis in his back. Considering everything he has been thru like so many his age he is happy he can still get around, live by himself and take care of himself. And yes, he contributes it to attitude, exercise and some good genes some where along the line! When he visits his younger sister (by 2 yrs) he gets upset with her as she doesn’t want to do much anymore. he is a good example for me.

  8. wow! This is a hard thing for me. I figure that age is just a number – and go more by how I feel and coping with whatever abilities/disabilities (temporary or permanent) that I have. My hearing is increasingly worse – but then I would be totally deaf several times a year as a small child – and learned to lip-read as a result. My eyes are bad – but then I’m no longer required to wear glasses when I drive and I was told as a teen that if I reached 30 without being totally blind I would be fortunate. I can see leaves on trees in the distance now. At the same time – I have increasing back pain problems – caused by chronic arthritis – which set in the areas – both neck and lower back where I had been injured (both by car accident – and by my stupidity) years ago. I cope with it. Essentially.

    I eat the same as I have for years – generally too much for the amount I do or don’t exercise (which is something I DO need to do! just not walking since I don’t want to crawl back!) and mountain climbing is not currently – at least this year – on my program. Maybe next or the one after that – who knows!

    I do eat healthily though – same as I have for years – and as I have tried to teach my children. My rest hours are essentially the same – approximately 8 – 9 hours a night. So none of that has changed.

    I DO goal set – and have for quite a while – mostly because it energizes me – at least until I overwhelm myself. I DO make plans for things based on how I feel – not based on a number or a “gee, I’m older” feeling – and invariably upset a lot of ex-co-workers and friends (I want to adopt and/or foster), but based on where I am physically and mentally.

    I also set up a learning program for myself (mostly because it made sense to me – if I teach it to children I ought to at least learn it! LOL) – and includes things that are fun for me – like Mandarin, Russian, Ancient History, and – as soon as I get another piano – learning to play Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin as well as Rachmaninoff’s 3rd Piano concerto.

    Did I learn any of this from my parents? No. My parents started talking about dying at the age of 45. And made plans accordingly. They forgot to live, to enjoy each moment of life.

    Did I learn this from friends? No, not really since many of my friends are into “age-ism” and “growing old gracefully” Although I dearly love my friends – their lifestyle is definitely not mine and I am saddened that they have sought to limit themselves and their abilities.

  9. Oh, your post is so timely! I just had my MIL here for 4 days while she was evacuated because of a fire and I was just sick that she is so inactive. She is 73 and has horribly swollen legs. She will not walk even a little bit. I went and walked 5 miles the morning after she left. I told DH I was scared and wanted to be proactive even though I do walk a couple of miles every morning. Love the photo of your Dad!

  10. 1) I do my best to eat well – I try not to eat anything that comes in a package – only whole, natural, unprocessed foods. 2) I take the dog for a walk every day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes, but usually, we’re gone for more than an hour, and we’re moving 95% of that time. 3) I play in the dirt – weeding, planting flowers, and tending herbs for my kitchen. 4) I do crosswords, sudoku puzzles, and read a lot to keep my brain active.

  13. Oh my goodness, Judy! Does your Mom color coordinate your Dad’s shirts to go with the curtains? That is such a cool idea!!!

  14. I’ll be turning 60 in a couple of weeks, and I wish I had taken better care of myself when I was younger, so I’d be in better shape now. But I was so busy taking care of everybody else that I didn’t take care of myself. Now, I have diabetes, spinal stenosis with peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and after an 8 hour shift at my job at the computer, my feet are so swollen I can barely crawl up the stairs to get to bed.

    They say it’s never too late. so I’ve been trying to push myself more, eat healthy, take my medicine religiously, to try to increase my strength and abilities, but it takes a lot longer to get it back than it does to lose that stamina and it’s been slow going. I get so angry with myself for letting it get this bad. .

    I do have the most beautiful 10-month old granddaughter, and that’s a great motivation to get in shape. She’s the light of my life and I love spending time with her, and I want to be able to keep up with her as she grows!!

    You’re going to absolutely LOVE being a grandmother!! My middle son was 31 when his daughter was born, so I wanted a long time for this and I want to be around to enjoy it for a long time!!!

  15. 1. Food. I’ve started a “healthy eating” program this year, and have lost 20 pounds. I’m going to keep it up, hoping to lose a little more, but to at least maintain my new weight. I do feel better and have more energy. 2. An avocation. I’m so grateful for quilting and knitting. I always have something enjoyable and productive to do, and I’ve gained some wonderful friendships along the way. 3. Reduce possessions. A work in progress. 4. Be satisfied with what you have. 5. Plan. We have some travel planned (doesn’t have to be big), I have quilting plans, I’m working on some nearly completed decorating plans…It’s just fun to plan and have something to look forward to. 6. Keep up on your annual doctor visits/tests. 7. Don’t sit around at home. Get out and meet a friend for coffee, have breakfast with your neighbors, join a group, start a group. DO something with people you like and have fun!

  16. I am 71 years young. My husband & I have been married 42 years. We live life to the fullest. I worked 27 years at the phone company in Vegas, he with the city. We were able to retire young because of living modestly…not frugally, as we have always had what we wanted. Our motto is save pennies to spend dollars! Also, I believe in doing what you want, whether eating drinking or whatever, always in moderation.

  17. I am in my middle sixties and still work full time. Just getting up and going to work, which requires that I get dressed and follow a schedule, keeps me active to some extent. However, retirement is looming around the corner and I want to enjoy it. Some things that I do to make sure I stay healthy and active is to eat the right foods- lots of fruits and vegetables, white meats, whole grains; exercise at least three times a week; have regular doctor visits to keep a check on my vitals, blood, enzymes, etc.; read at least 2 books a month; stay active in my quilt guilds; and travel to see my grandkids and have a fun time with them.

    A lot of the above takes planning and a lot of effort, but I make myself do it.

  18. Physically there are several things I’m doing to grow old gracefully – I see my doctor regularly & get all the tests he recommends, I have joined Weight Watchers and am eating healthier than ever, and I have begun a walking program….I’m up to four times a week walking between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 miles. Mental preparation is half the battle though. I stay busy volunteering at a mission a couple of months a year, leading Bible study classes, quilting, reading, and traveling. Busy is good but my body requires more rest than it used to so I’m aware of that and I pay attention to it. I’m accepting, not fighting, the fact that I can’t do everything I used to. I’m making plans for the time when I can’t drive, can’t do yard work and/or can’t move the furniture whenever I get the urge. 🙂 Knowing ahead what I’m going to do when the “I can’ts” occur gives me peace of mind. blessings, marlene

  19. We have to get old, but we don’t have to grow up…or so the saying goes. Keeping our love of life, our interest in the world around us, our willingness to try new things goes farther to keeping us young than all the hair dye and plastic surgery on earth. I admire your dad for working at mastering his iPod.

    Sometimes I make a remark about “old people” without even thinking. This year I turned 60 and it made me think. My grandparents, parents and most of my aunts & uncles have all passed on & so have my husband’s. MY GOSH!!! We ARE the older generation. Then I counted up our great nieces & nephews. That was a shocker. Maybe we are old!! Well, maybe not old, but let me tell you, 60 IS NOT the new 40. And, I am looking forward to retiring. My job is fine, but I’ve been doing it for way too many years and there are lots of things I’d like to do that would just go so much better if I had more than one day at a time at home.

    If you find out where I can get a money tree for my back yard, let me know, OK???? 🙂

  20. I would like to say I am growing old gracefully but unfortunately gracefullness isn’t in my genes. I try to eat healthy, watch my weight as much as I can, work crossword puzzles to keep my brain working, I take care of my skin now but didn’t do as well when I was younger. I try to enjoy life as much as possible, interacting with my grandaughters, keeping active, maintain contact with friends and family.

  21. Love this post! I turned 55 in January, joined WW and lost 41 lbs with another 20 to go. I feel so much better and have lots more energy. Am thinking about and planning what to eat daily and it’s so much more healthy. Have come to the realization that, as they say, this is not a diet, but a way of life (and a good one). I do a 2-mile walking program at home at least 4 times a week. I have no health problems that I know of, but heart problems are so prevalent in my family and my doctor is proactive with that. I do can a lot of my garden vegetables. We eat deer meat as our primary red meat as it has no hormones or antibiotics in it. But, I agree with others here, attitude means a lot. I see everything as half full, my husband sees it as nearly empty. I find something to enjoy in every day. I run and play and “hoop and holler” with the grandkids. I read a lot. Sometimes it seems there’s no time to sew in my life, so I run down the road to my mom’s, spend the day with her and sew on my Featherweight that I keep down there. I truly love my life. We built our own home 15 years ago, live simply, and don’t have a lot of money worries. My biggest fear is cancer, although it doesn’t run in our family at all. Thanks for this post, and thanks for keeping up your blog. I always check in to see what you’re doing.

    Joyce

  22. I try to eat things that are good for me.. for sure I need to quit smoking.. that alone would make a huge difference.

  23. Right now I am exercising and eating better because as I approach 50, I need to take care of myself

  24. I’m excited to get older and experience more of life

    karinaroselee at gmail dot com

  25. I am exercising more and eating healthier not only for myself but to set a good example for my daughters.

  26. I act silly and get outside as much as possible. That solves most things 🙂

  29. I want to see my kids grow up and get married some day, getting old isn’t all bad

  31. 31 is already too old for me, but with age comes freedom to say whatever you want and get away with it!

  33. i eat foods that help memomory like coconut oil, ginkoba
    Thanks for a super giveaway!

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