« random thoughts: the kind of person i am ... so far »
Inspired by the truly brilliant Zan, I've been thinking a lot about the kind of woman I've grown up to be. I tried to draft a list similar to hers, and actually did come up with a few things, like:
- doesn't drink enough water, and when she does, can only drink it through a straw;
- loves clothing and people who have unique and individual style; yet generally dislikes fashion, fashion magazines and shopping;
- dislikes flying, but loves the long periods of uninterrupted reading time air travel affords;
- makes a mean rum punch; and
- unreasonably disconcerted by feet.
But as I was making the list, I couldn't help remembering an encounter with a woman in my neighbourhood last Thursday morning. I was walking back from taking Alex to school, and I saw her. She's someone I see often: she spends most mornings walking her springer spaniel, and I assumed her to be quite a bit older than me: 60, I guessed, perhaps 65.
On this particular morning, she looked particularly radiant, and as his her normal friendly way, she called out hello.
"Hi," I smiled back. "You look great this morning! You must be having a great day!"
"Oh thank you," she grinned. "You know, I just celebrated my 80th birthday* last week."
Eighty years old.
We spoke a bit longer, and as I walked back home, I realized that at 80, she was almost exactly twice my age. As in, if I'm meant to live as long as she has, I have my entire life to live again first.
Seems like a lot of time for my list to change.
*Obviously, I asked her what her secret was to living to 80 years old and remaining beautiful and young-looking. She told me that she loved the outdoors, and she loved beautiful things. "I just like looking at beautiful things," she stressed again.
Naturally, I took notes.
Song: Everybody got their something by Nikka Costa
Monday, May 3, 2010 at 12:00AM
Reader Comments (18)
Makes sense to me! Be outdoors, love, and enjoy beauty. Pretty simple really. Right? As if simple is ever easy!! Ha.
What a cool list! You inspired me, and since it's not even 6:30 am yet and I'm the only person awake in the house, I went ahead and wrote mine: :-).
That lady has the right idea. Beautiful things fill you up and make you whole.
I love those realizations; thanks for the reminder. Can't wait to live my life all over again and see what kind of woman I grow up to be by then, too.
sounds like she does the one thing I have come to believe is most important, having a positive, loving, forgiving outlook on life regardless
At 41, I'm just getting my head wrapped around the fact that I still have a whole 'nother 40 years or so in my bank of years. It's exciting. The first 41 was spent really discovering who I am. The prospect of spending the next 40 alive with that knowledge is really inspiring and exciting!
I love love love your story of the woman in your neighborhood!
The secret to living long and stay beautiful is something that I've been thinking about lately. The women in my family tend to have long and healthy lives - fighting and looking beautiful until the end. Sadly, the oldest passed before I was old enough to think to sit down with them and ask them the secret of their long lives (great grandmothers at 104 ish). I suspect it was the island air and lifestyle.
Your new friend's advice seems to simple yet I am sure is elusive for most of us. It sure is for me. It feels like there is never enough time to enjoy such simple things.
I love this post, Karen.
wow! what a powerful post!
This photo is amazing. Where did you happen on this guy?
becky --
In my neighbour's garden. I was taking photos of her flowers, and there he was. :)
K.
Could you take a picture of her? Sounds like a great addition to your 1,000 Faces.