For the past several years, in my first column of the year, I have shared lessons I’ve learned from my own experiences navigating this thing called aging, and, most importantly, from talking with older adults who are much wiser than I am.
I know this journey of ours is not about living longer — even though our children may want us to live forever. It is about caring for ourselves and others, so we can gracefully live the rest of our lives with courage, compassion, and meaning.
Every year I’ll revise the list: Dropping some lessons and adding a few additional ones I have gleaned from the past year. And since none of these lessons are my original thoughts, this year I’m acknowledging those teachers from whom I learned the lesson — at least the teachers I can remember.
So, here are this year’s “25 Lessons Learned.” You’ve probably heard them all before — but for me, it always helps to hear them again.
1. What is good for your heart is good for your brain.
2. Learn a new skill without worrying about how good you’ll be.
3. First steps to improve your memory: Pay attention and focus.
4. Most things don’t matter, but a few really do.
5. Stay current with friends. There may not be a tomorrow. (Jerry Tanquist)
6. Getting older beats the alternative, but it is hard work.
7. Accept what you can’t control — and then adapt.
8. Live in the “now.”
9. Know what you want and let others know — particularly your adult children!
10. Tiredness causes tiredness. Do something.
11. Add color to your meals — meaning eat your vegetables!
12. Isolation kills. Stay connected.
13. Keep moving — at least 30 minutes a day.
14. “See the world with virgin eyes and you’ll find the extraordinary in the ordinary.” (Dewitt Jones)
15. Relationships are more important than things.
16. Grey hair is cool — and beautiful.
17. Living is aging. Embrace your age.
18. We all depend on each other, so there is no shame in asking for help.
19. Everybody has a story to tell — if we listen.
20. Five “S’s” to avoid: Sugar, Salt, Seconds, Soda, and Shortening. (Adeline Knorr)
21. “Dream as if you will live forever and live as if you will die tomorrow.” (James Dean)
22. Three rules to live a long and healthy life: Don’t fall, Don’t fall, Don’t fall. (Bea Dick)
23. Stay busy, but don’t rush. (Bill Noonan)
24. “Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity, it’s our reaction to them that does.” (Teepa Snow)
25. “If you sit on your porch and wave a parade might just come by.” (Gary Young)
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Brain Tease: See if you can find out what the animals are! For example, “To run away or escape” could be a “flea”.
1. Hair-control foam.
2. Very exposed.
3. A lamenting cry.
4. A dull person.
5. A precious or loved one.
6. First you get a parking ticket, then you get this.
7. These make up a chain.
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The prolific American author and former lawyer, best known for the Perry Mason series of legal detective stories, was Earle Stanley Gardner. Since I’m submitting this column early because of my trip to California to visit my children, next week I’ll mention all of you who sent in correct answers.
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Most of you probably have memories of watching this comedy team that was active from 1922 until 1970 and starred in 190 short subject films. For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of the comedy trio who were known for their eye-pokes, face slaps, hollow head knocks, and knuckle cracks? And for bonus points, what were the names of the three characters that composed the trio? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or send it with the twenty-disc collection of their short films.
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Well, it’s been another week, forgetting what year it is. Until we meet again, stay warm and enjoy the slow motion of winter nights.
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“It is utterly false and cruelly arbitrary to put all the play and learning into childhood, all the work into middle age, and all the regrets into old age.”
— Margaret Mead
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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Mondays and Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town-hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
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Answers:
1. Moose (Mousse).
2. Bear (Bare).
3. Whale (Wail).
4. Boar (Bore).
5. Deer (Dear).
6. Toad (Towed).
7. Lynx (Links).
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