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Grow Old Along With Me

The best is yet to be. I read this article today and it really resonated with me. We live in a youth-obsessed society and are constantly bombarded with messages that we should do anything possible to delay the inevitable effects that living a long life will have on our skin, body, mind and belief system. We’re told to keep our skin youthful and wrinkle-free with cosmetic surgery or injections of body fluids/fats that don’t belong in the face or, worse yet, poison made from botulism, the food contaminant. We are urged to cover up our gray hair, wear concealing makeup to hide our flaws/scars that are proof of a life lived. We nip, we tuck, we lift, we augment, we suck fat out of our midsection, hips, buttocks. And for what? To look like someone we are not, are no longer, or even may have never been.

I feel privileged to be able to grow old. I’ve had my life threatened twice, once with cancer and once with a cardiac event. I’ve chosen to consider those events turning points in my life. I no longer allow myself to worry about ‘what if’ when it comes to my health. If it’s my time, I hope I’ve left behind a legacy where I am remembered with love. I hope people will smile when they think of who I was. But I’m not ready to leave just yet.

I do what I can to preserve my youth in different ways. I choose my foods carefully. I exercise regularly, I study to keep up on my passion, I focus on teaching others to grow old with energy and in good health. I don’t color my hair, my wrinkles are there for all to see, I can’t see squat without my glasses and can’t wear contacts because I have chronic dry eye. I’m shaped like an hourglass with all the sand in the bottom. I bear scars from the surgery and treatment I had for breast cancer. I also have a lot of energy and nothing on me hurts.

I have a very rich life. I have a husband who feels lucky to be married to me and I feel the same way. I raised two strong women who are on their own. I no longer have to deal with the corporate world but can now pursue what I love so passionately and help people in the process. I avoid any drama, family or otherwise, which sometimes means I don’t get to see people I love, but I fiercely protect my peace. I’m a WomenHeart Champion-Community Educator, I am the senior warden of my church vestry, I’m one speech away from earning my Competent Communicator and Competent Leadership ribbons at Toastmasters. I get to do what I want when I want.

When I talk to people before they retire who don’t know what they want to do upon retirement, it boggles my mind. What did they think would happen? Did they expect to die in the saddle? What a sad thing…to die slumped over your work, having never had the chance to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I was so excited to retire to pursue my passion but I know people who retired when I did and are back to work because they were bored. Not me! I can’t remember  the last time I got bored.

So many people are not afforded the privilege of growing old. My mother died when I was 16 at the ripe old age of 41. She never met the seven wonderful grandchildren and six great-grandchildren she would have had. She never saw her own children become five successful adults. I feel very blessed that I have reached an age where I can enjoy the remainder of my life doing what I love and get to spend time with people I love. I’m proud to be able to take advantage of the senior discounts wherever I go and to be considered an elder. I don’t miss the male attention I once attracted when I was young. It was uncomfortable then and now would just seem ridiculous to me. I have suffered unimaginable grief, losing my mother at such a young age and seeing many contemporaries die earlier than they should. I have been so very fortunate to be part of a large close and supportive family. I don’t know where I would be without them. As I said…I have a very rich life. I hope you do also.
As a health coach, I work with women who are facing serious health challenges like heart disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes or who have been diagnosed as having a precursor to a serious health issue such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or high blood sugar. I help them make food and lifestyle changes so they can get healthy, live longer and enjoy a fuller, happier, more energetic life. If you would like to have a free consultation about the health challenges you have and the improvements you would like to see in your health, click here to schedule a no strings attached call.

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Karen

I’m a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) and I specialize in helping women who live with or are at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, lose weight and avoid medication.

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