Reece Gardner: The secret to growing old

Let's talk about age today. This year, 2021, the United Nations expects the number of people living past 100 to rise to approximately 573,000 worldwide, with the highest concentration in the U.S. and Japan, and with a significant number of those living well beyond the age of 100. In that category are people like Emma Morano, who died on April 15 at age 117.

Until she was 115 she didn't have any live-in caregivers. She cooked her own meals, usually consisting of pasta and ground beef, along with chicken & homemade brandy. She rarely ate vegetables and fruits, and she did very little dieting. A strong will to live, and an interest in the world around her, were the driving forces in her long and happy life. Let's talk about possible reasons for longevity. A recent study done on 100 seniors, ages 100+, showed that those who concentrated on positive terms such as "love" and "faith" were in fact physically stronger than those exposed to constant negatives. This study also showed that people in this category don't feel old, and that the quantity and quality of one's social relationships is not only linked to mental health but also to longevity.

Now back specifically to Emma Morena: She worked on having positive relationships, successfully dealing with stress, staying busy, and having goals in life. In November she celebrated her 117th birthday, and she was obviously alert and happy. She blew out candles, received gifts, and basked in the attention of well-wishers. Journalists, relatives and friends crowded into her tiny 2-bedroom apartment in Pallanza, a picturesque Italian town on the Piedmont shore.

This was to be her last birthday here on earth but it was a great one. Her doctor of many years, Carlo Bava, said that he felt that one of the reasons for her long and happy life was that she cared for others who in turn cared for her. And then he said this: "The secret is in growing old with people who love you instead of growing old alone." I believe Ms. Moreno LIVED the words of that old Carter Family song, "Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side, keep on the sunny side of life. It will help you every day, it will brighten up your way, if you keep on the sunny side of life." Here is a little age-related adage: "The older I get, the earlier it gets late."

Now to close on a humorous note: A shipwreck survivor washes up on the beach of an island and is immediately surrounded by a group of native warriors. "I'm done for!" he cries in despair. "No, you are NOT!" comes a booming voice from all around him, "Listen closely, son, and do exactly what I say.

Grab the spear from the man on your left and pierce it right through the heart of the chief." The man grabbed the spear and shoved it right through the heart of the chief, who collapsed. The remainder of the tribe stared at him in disbelief. "Now what?" the man asked, and the booming voice answered, "NOW, my son, you're done for." Moral of this story: Not all voices come from above! Have a GREAT day!