My first major learning was on a fan bus to Rockies Baseball Stadium. Okay, the true picture was it was a Boulder City bus that went to Denver every day but this Sunday I was on my way to the game. (To cheer for the Dodgers with my husband, but on the bus, we kept a low profile.) As the bus filled at every stop, to the point that people were standing in the aisle, a family got on. There was a bit of standing room though a lovely person had her two young children get up and sit on her lap for the eldest of the clan. A smiling woman about my age said, “Oh, here is a seat for you Grandma.” I smiled. The woman’s two young children squeezed in a seat nearby. As passengers crammed up the aisle, I had the smiling woman next to me and started up a conversation. She was with her own family of four and her Dad and her Grandma heading to the game. She offered, “My grandmother is 99!”
Ninety-nine and taking the bus. Ninety-nine and a huge Rockies fan. Ninety-nine and spry as someone twenty years younger by my observation. “What is her secret?” I asked as I was truly curious. Here is what I was told:
First, she has “No Regrets.”
Second, she believes in, “Let it Go.”
Her granddaughter added that her grandmother is Catholic and believes in the power of confession and confessing as part of the letting go process. Then, she moves on.
This 99 year old so impressed me, as I have been telling anyone who will listen. Neither of her mottos are easy to live by. I would add she did not have an easy life based on the brief conversation with her granddaughter. She lost a son in his twenties. Then, a second child died before her when she was an adult. She carried on.
The final secret I learned when we all got off the bus a quarter of a mile and many stairs from the stadium entrance. On the arm of her “senior citizen” son, she was keeping pace with the rest of us. Her grandson in law commented, “Wow, Grandma, you walk along great.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I walk every day!” So I add to the healthy and happy list until 99, walk every day and have a bit of spunk! A passion or two will help as well.
How are you preparing for a long and healthy life? Plan your finances, yes. Planning your life is just as important.
Check Your Regrets at the Door.
Release and Let Go. Move On.
Go For a Walk.
Enjoy your Passion.
Carry On.
Thank you Grandma for the lesson.