It is a very odd feeling to live longer than your parents, at least it is for me. My father died in 1995 at the age of 62. Even back then, at my age at that time, it seemed too young to die.
My father was not healthy; strong, but not healthy. His body had suffered dietary abuse over the years, his family history was not good, and his choices as he aged, were perhaps, not the best. These are not judgements, just observations. I wrote a book, at the prompting and encouragement of my Confidence Coach, when I was 62, about death and dying and survivorship. If you are interested in obtaining your own copy, please connect with me via this website.
When I turned 62, I was very aware of this number. Did he have aches and pains ? Was his mobility and stamina limited ? Did he find some physical things not as easy to accomplish ? Did life have the same meaning that it did decades prior ? He had NO IDEA 62 was his last year on earth and his death was after a 3-week hospital stay, but we all knew he would be coming home again.
I am happy to say, my birthdays have continued since that 62 number, giving me a new goal to pass my mother’s death age of 78. What do our kids and grandkids think of the BIG NUMBERS we achieve ? What is the legacy we are leaving ? So I ask you, have you, or will you, live longer than your parents ?
There is no doubt about it, life is SO fragile. Health and wellness is so important and doing the best one can to maintain a healthy lifestyle is also vital. We don’t control life and death, to be sure, but doing the best we can with the knowledge and resources we have is necessary on a daily basis.
www.CathyWeaverKC.com