Aging well

The past few days, because of some of my activities, I have focused on aging. I am writing an article about nursing homes; helping the parents of a friend- her mother is 90 and I will take her for groceries. Her mobility has declined and she can not push the cart and reach for groceries. I will be the reacher which is funny since sometimes I have to ask taller people to reach for items when they are beyond my reach. Grocery stores should be required to have stools like some libraries and book stores. After groceries, I am taking her husband who is 96 to his doctor's appointment. He is having issues with his legs. His health has been remarkable until last July when his legs started bothering him.

A friend wrote about her mother who celebrated her 88th birthday yesterday. She celebrated by hitting a hole in one on the golf course! Way to go, I can barely hit the golf ball.

As some of you know, I play tennis and many of the people who I play with during social tennis, a round robin set up are older. I admire their drive and determination to be on the court and hitting the ball. Some of them still run after the ball and give you a good game.

One of my projects during the past 3 summers has been to arrange a summer chamber music project. I meet once a week with about 20 students who play chamber music in various combinations and then perform for seniors. Some of the homes are wonderful and the seniors still enjoying life. Those are the seniors I want to be like, if health, physical and mental, permits.

I am grateful that I have examples of seniors who are not sitting at home in their rocking chair reflecting on what their life has been but still building memories.