Mom sent me a photo of herself this week entitled ‘Dancing Fool’ (a bit blurry) and my immediate thought was how I can only wish to be such a dancing fool when I am her age. My mom has always set such a great example of living every day to the fullest which doesn’t mean being busy, or overly active, it just means doing what was important at the time. Everyone who knows her just loves her, and I mean LOVE’s her. She is “wonderful”, a “good friend”, “so much fun to be with”, and “so easy to be with”. Of course she is also so much more than this to me, and our family.
My mom and dad are both great examples of how to live a happy and healthy life. They eat healthy whole foods and are active every day. Their health is good, or even excellent. They are retired now and since moving five years ago have great new friends with whom they spend time playing games, dancing, planning parties and cultural outings, taking trips, or whatever comes up. They also stay in touch with their longtime friends and far away family. Their finances are in order, their house is clean and neat (even the garage), and they have planned well for retirement. They volunteer in the community, have a spiritual life, and spend time with their children, and grandchildren often. What better role models for living, I do not know.
All of this is the primary food of life. The greatest percentage of centenarians in the world is in Okinawa, Japan. They have good whole food, fresh air, physical activity, and family and friends close by. They live in community with others, just like my parents in their 55 and up community.
My mom and dad had a great beginning, really strong family values, a marriage commitment, respect for one another, good communication, supportive family, commitment to a spiritual life, a spirit of adventure and fun, and a sense of humor.
I saw my mom and dad celebrate 50 years of marriage a few years ago. At their 25th anniversary they said let’s go for the gold. They’ve hit the gold, now I’m looking forward to them going for 75 which would make them almost a century old. They’ve got the stuff to do it, and I want it too.
Love you Mom and Dad, and happy Mother’s Day!