My mom just turned 89 this past week.  What a great event!  She has some back issues but her mind is sharp as a tack; she still drives…yikes! She writes her church newsletter, is an officer in the Community Club; active in the Historical Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, etc, etc, etc.  Oh, and did I mention the 5 to 8 books she reads every week? Any sentence that starts with, “Would you like to go….results in an immediate “Yes.”  Makes me tired just writing about it all.

The psychologist in me has been wondering what allows her to have such an active life at this age.  I think part of the answer is simply the way she’s always lived.  As a teacher and a farmer’s wife, she always had two jobs…well actually three counting rearing my brother and me and keeping house.  But she always “took part.”  She was an officer.  She volunteered.  She went the extra mile.  And, she never complained.  Oh, I don’t mean she is a saint…she’s Scottish, nuff said!  But she never has been one to take things personally.  She’s never been a “why me” person or “why not me” either.  

She lives each day. She stays in touch with friends and family.  She cares about people. She sends cards.  She bakes and delivers.  She does countless word puzzles. She continues to read everything that has words on it. She basically continues to live each day as fully as possible.  

I wish for each of you that gift.  I wish to try to emulate it myself!