Reflections: 100 Is The New 78…
“A comfortable old age is the reward of a well-spent youth. Instead of it bringing sad and melancholy prospects of decay, it would give us hopes of eternal youth in a better world.” Maurice Chevalier
Reflections: 100 Is The New 78…
Chaka Khan – I’m Every Woman
Dear 100 Year Old Me … and anyone out there listening,
What a grand way to celebrate my big day! I always knew I’d live long but heck, not this long. I made it; even outlived that whippersnapper who asked me at my 80th why I was still writing books! I’ve written 18 books and still have some in the works. My friend, countingduck, knows a man in his 80s who still writes… Sheesh, you think getting old is terrible? Consider the alternative and remember you’ll be either old some day or the alternative… but let me not get ahead of myself… I got some celebrating to do.
Today, I officially join the Centenarian Club. But listen, 100 is the new 78… At least, that’s what my great grandson Timmy told me this morning when I asked, “If 50 is the new 30, what is 100?” “Oh GG!” he said, (they call me GG for great granny), “Don’t make it too obvious for people to figure out…that way they’ll ask why 78?”. Timmy is right. My life sure did start again at 78. Grab a chair, sit awhile. I got a few stories left in this head of mine. I promise not to meander. The body might not be willing but the mind is still sharp as a whip.
“For age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress, and as the evening twilight fades away, the sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Reflections: 100 Is The New 78…
Aging might be overrated, but nothing beats having your engines revved up at any age. See, in case you’re still guessing, I was born in 1913, somewhere uptown. My daddy said Harlem, my mama said Washington Heights… Both liked a stiff drink or three, so who knows what they remembered; it doesn’t matter where… Fact is I was born. I went to church school where I met and married Boniface at 18. We were church school friends and found our way out of Sunday School into bedroom school. Long story short, we raised 4 kids, had a great time together with a few fights thrown in.
50 years later, Boniface keeled over and left me to fend for myself. I did get his mailman pension but I was on my own. 68 and on my own with my three sons and one daughter scattered around the world. I was feeling lonely so my girlfriends introduced me to Jim. He was a swell guy; a decade or so younger and a retired career military man and all… only problem was Jim never left the war. WWII? Vietnam? I had no idea. He had nightmares and night-sweats; Poor chap! But in the daytime we had a lot of fun; parties, dances, movies, a bit of travel and the occasional fishing trip.
One day, around my 75th birthday, he declared he was going on a reconnaissance mission and never came back. Months later, they found his body in the Hudson River… Poor Jim. He was a good man. Jim and I never married so there was nothing to collect. I mourned him and had to move on… time was running out moving on. My girlfriends were dropping like flies but the ones that stayed alive hung out with me in the city. We exercised to stay in shape, made passes at guys to get them flustered, and took classes to keep our grey matter churning. But life really jumped for me when Charlie came along in my 78th year. Yeah, he was a good time charlie alright and the best lover ever… Shut your mouth! We do too. More below!
“Old age is far more than white hair, wrinkles, the feeling that it is too late and the game finished, that the stage belongs to the rising generations. The true evil is not the weakening of the body, but the indifference of the soul.” André Maurois
Reflections: 100 Is The New 78…
Charlie helped me get my groove back on. Shoot! I started taking yoga, dance and tai chi lessons again to stay strong and keep up with him…. I started writing and publishing books: My first one Sex & the Septuagenarian was a News That’s Fit To Print Bestseller. Ditto my books; Orgasms & the Octogenarian and Naughty Nonagenarian… Others were about life and living but you get the gist. By now you know, I liked my men young(er) and Charlie was fit for his 60 years on God’s earth. He was a retired fireman with the equipment to match… Okay, at 100, I can say some shit… Don’t like it? Wait till you get to my age and then we can quibble… Now shoo! From 78 on, I was renewed and even with my orthopedic shoes, I was stepping out and having a good old time with Charlie. We got married in Vegas too…. by Elvis (a stand in). Eloping wasn’t an option and the kids were proud to join us.
I even bought me some hair so I could swing off the bedpost and play Jane to his Tarzan … Wait, scratch that racist shit. I was his Diva and he, my Prince… The family genes held steady so I never had some of those aging problems (lucky me). The ones I had I won’t bore you with yet… My mama lived till 98 and daddy till 95; even with the drinking! I got plenty of living and loving in me. I outlived Charlie by five years, but the zest for life and happiness we shared will outlive me… I’m still having fun and I suggest you do too. Young today, old or dead tomorrow! Now get your arse out there and do a happy dance for me! It’s my birthday… 😉
Love,
Me
Have an inspired week!
How do you celebrate your birthday and aging? Do you rejoice over the gift of longevity or see it as a curse? Do share! Thank you. 🙂
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Plinky Prompt: Write a letter to your 100 year-old self.
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
Positive Motivation Tip: You can achieve your goals at any age… Live without shame or fear… let the naysayers eat crow.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos old woman of Arles, Woman Tanguy, Old woman in shoe, 1913 Calendar, jiggs Magazine, via Wikipedia
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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What a wonderful and creative way to approach aging, Eliz! I smiled all the way through reading. I don’t obsess over aging, but I do take note. My only response to it is to consider the alternative…I’ve lost many friends along the way who would have enjoyed experiencing my life. So I take care of myself and do my part to push negative thoughts about age out of my head. I get a lot of inspiration from watching how Wayne Dyer approaches age. He is a good role model for me! 🙂
Wayne is a good example as even he struggles with the effects of aging… with joy. It is sad that we live in a culture that derides aging… but I always say that any young person who thinks old people are ….. should expect to be as fortunate. Longevity is a blessing (hopefully with body, mind and pocket book intact). 🙂 TY!
An interesting juxtaposition to my current post Elizabeth. If we could live to 100 like you describe here, I’m in!
b
Same here… Barb! If we have our faculties intact, then aging is a breeze. TY! 🙂
Oh Eliz, what a fantastic post. I love it and laughing hard here. Happy Birthday to your 100 self, Stay forever young. 🙂
Same to you Cee! Glad you enjoyed the humor of it… It was meant to be light and funny! 🙂 TY!
I just loved this, and thanks for the mention, of course, but more than that, thankyou for the rollicking image of a disgraceful, impressive and vigourous women who is appy to gulp at the fountain of life regardless of her age. I loved it. Just LOVED IT.
Oh you made my day… such humor! 🙂
I loved this Eliz…aging shouldn’t scare s but be cause for rejoicing…look at all we have done
Exactly… well said Jo! TY! 🙂
Very well written… 🙂
TY TY!! 🙂
How wonderful! I am sixty-five and looking forward to doing my 100th post I mean my 100th birthday post’ 🙂
I think it would be a riot for you… ‘cos you are delightfully funny too! 😉
This put a BIG smile on my face today, Liz. Aging is always better than the alternative 😉
It is indeed… I like that idea. 😉
Hello young lady, I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. here is the link. http://therantingpapizilla.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/the-versatile-blogger-award/
WoW! Papizilla! When did this happen? TY so much and I’d better get to you blog and thank you quickly… 🙂
eeeehihiii!! gotta love the fiery seniors who think ageless and do timeless…love your letter, Elizabeth! 🙂
TY Sunshine! All Seniors deserve their time in the sun. 😉
Sheesh….the way you tell it, getting old is SWELL glamorous! Leave it to you, Eliz, to add shine to life! *Thank You*
TY for adding humor to your comment too… Loved it! 🙂
My grandmother will be 99 this April. Only recently did she begin accepting senior discounts at restaurants.
Good for her to get to celebrate her 99th. You ought to write a post on her Miriam. 😉
What a delightful and engrossing post!
TY for your feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
What a fabulous post. I recently met a 90 yr old who learned to pay the violin in his 70’s and now jams with a bunch of musicians. I’m 62, and my husband 70, same as you, and we’ve become nomads. We knew we had to live while we’re still alive!
I’ve nominated you for the shine on award and the versatile blogger award. Thanks for your inspiring blog!
TY Alison!!! I missed this one too… I appreciate the awards and will dash over to thank you again on your blog… I’m impressed by your journey… 🙂
What a wonderful and inspirational post about aging. It is so interesting how I could not wait to get older when I was younger, but now wish every year was longer. Hehe. 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Eliz.
Yes, isn’t that a phenomenon that we all ought to think about? I hear you. TY! 🙂
Greetings Eliz:
Age! As always a delightful post. Happy to see you are still inspiring. Thanks for shining your light and brightening smiles.
.
Have a treasure – filled day, today and always!
TY for shining your s and for your patience with this lady! 🙂
Absolutely delightful! Rock on!
Same compliments sent your way! 🙂 TY!
What a gracious way to talk about age, Eliz! I have decided to celebrate every day and have fun rather than waiting until the birthday. 🙂
That is wise…. Enjoy each moment too. TY! 🙂
My in-laws are in their 80’s and live such a full life that no-one thinks of them as aged. They, themselves, without any malice, talk about older people as if they are not part of that group.
There was a lovely documentary on the telly a while ago. It was about the dancers from the old movies in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. I think they are called the Silver Belles. The documentary was called “Been rich all my life” and was vey touching.
TY Hakea! I have the video of the Silver Belles! They are a testament to the age wit grace and style line… TY! 🙂
What a fun post, Elizabeth! (My Dad really was was born in 1913.)
Well Happy Birthday to your dad! That is so cool. TY! 🙂
Being my birthday week and all, this would be a good prompt to answer. Being, I’m slow, it may not happen this week 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful celebration either way! TY! 🙂
Damn, Eliz. I knew you was fly, but Damn this post made me look forward to aging. I love the “scratch that racist shit” line. Your book titles are hilarious–Sex & the Septuagenarian, Orgasms & the Octogenarian and Naughty Nonagenarian. You better jump on those before someone else does. haha.
I love it when you let your hair down and just dance…I mean write.
You are funny Kozo! I had a good laugh reading your comment. TY! We should all be blessed with a long life… TY! 🙂
What a fabulous brthday post! Happy birthday dearest Eliz, and wish you many, many more fun years ahead! Doing the jig for you, and looking forward to aging 😀
TY Madhu and sending same blessings to you too! Love that jig! 😆