INTRO
I met Trisha Faye through the April A to Z Challenge and she is also a regular contributor to our #MLSTL Link Party on Wednesdays. Every year I wonder why I let myself get caught up in the maelstrom of blogging daily for a month, then I meet lovely new bloggers like Trisha, and I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.
PARENTS
As I moan my way into my 60’s, my mom doesn’t show me much sympathy. Her standard reply is always, “Just give it twenty years.”
Yet, it’s when I look at my parents that I see how lucky I am that I have their genetics. Although both have slowed down a bit in the past few years, at 84 Dad is still going strong and he runs circles around me. Turning 82 this year, Mom is healthy, independent, and out working in the yard whenever the weather allows.
Trisha Faye and her Dad |
ZIP-LINING
My Dad volunteers at a family church camp in Arkansas once a week. When the camp installed a zip line, he was one of the first in line to try it out. Twice. And Aunt Ida, my mom’s sister in Texas, celebrated her 70th birthday a few years ago by zip lining. I’d better step up my game. I’m the youngster in this equation, but I’m the one being less adventuresome in life.MOTORCYCLING
My dad celebrated his 70th birthday in his own unique way. He commemorated his milestone birthday by riding his motorcycle from Arkansas to California, to visit with his two daughters and his grandchildren. At 83 he was still riding his motorcycle, up until the Fall of last year. He only gave it up because the insurance premiums skyrocketed. If not for that, he’d still be on his favorite mode of transportation, rolling along the Ozark back roads.
WHAT'S OLD?
A few weeks ago I was reading a book, Winesburg, Ohio, written in 1919. A section in the first story caught my attention. The author writes: ‘The writer, an old man with a white mustache, had some difficulty in getting into bed.’ So in my mind I’m picturing this elderly, almost ancient old man. A few paragraphs later he proceeds with:
“The plan the writer had for the raising of his bed was forgotten and later the carpenter did it in his own way and the writer, who was past sixty, had to help himself with a chair when he went to bed at night.”
Now I’m confused, because ‘past sixty’ in my mind does not constitute and ‘old man’. (Although, most likely when I was a teenager it did.) But here I am, having just hit this magical-60 moment in June, still mowing our half acre with a push mower, active, involved and on my feet all day for the day job. I see my parents, in their 80’s walking a little slower than before, but without assistance of cane or walker – and goodness, Dad would still be riding his motorcycle if not for the horrendous insurance premiums. I may have a few aches and pains that I didn’t have ten years ago, but I’m far from needing a chair to try to climb into bed at night.
It makes me glad that we live in the days that we do, where 60 may not be a ‘young whippersnapper’ anymore, but there’s certainly a lot of life left in these old bones. There are many days left to learn new things and have new experiences. “God willing and the creek don’t rise,” as Grandma liked to say.
After all, I can’t let my motorcycle riding, still hiking, zip lining Dad make his younger daughter look like the old fuddy-duddy in the group. It’s all in the attitude and not in the number.
“The plan the writer had for the raising of his bed was forgotten and later the carpenter did it in his own way and the writer, who was past sixty, had to help himself with a chair when he went to bed at night.”
Now I’m confused, because ‘past sixty’ in my mind does not constitute and ‘old man’. (Although, most likely when I was a teenager it did.) But here I am, having just hit this magical-60 moment in June, still mowing our half acre with a push mower, active, involved and on my feet all day for the day job. I see my parents, in their 80’s walking a little slower than before, but without assistance of cane or walker – and goodness, Dad would still be riding his motorcycle if not for the horrendous insurance premiums. I may have a few aches and pains that I didn’t have ten years ago, but I’m far from needing a chair to try to climb into bed at night.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD-OLD DAYS
Giving the author the benefit of the doubt, I decided to look up what the expected ages were in 1919, as compared to current times. In the US in 1919, the life expectancy for a male was 53.5 years. The situation became clearer when I saw that a hundred years ago, a man over 60 was truly elderly, being several years over than the average age for his last days.It makes me glad that we live in the days that we do, where 60 may not be a ‘young whippersnapper’ anymore, but there’s certainly a lot of life left in these old bones. There are many days left to learn new things and have new experiences. “God willing and the creek don’t rise,” as Grandma liked to say.
Trisha enjoying nature at one of her favorite spots - Terra Studios in Arkansas |
GRATITUDE
So for today, I’ll be thankful. I’ll express my gratitude for my healthy parents and my family genetics. And I’ll start working on what I want to add to my life. I don’t know about zip lining; that’s something that really hasn’t beckoned to me. But drums…I’m not too old to pick up a pair of sticks and learn drumming, am I? And kayaking…that intrigues me. And…After all, I can’t let my motorcycle riding, still hiking, zip lining Dad make his younger daughter look like the old fuddy-duddy in the group. It’s all in the attitude and not in the number.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are your parents setting the bar high for old age? Are you planning on new adventures as 60 (or 70) beckons? Are you making the most of the benefits of living your life today and not "back then"?
Trisha Faye and where you can find her:
Trisha Faye and where you can find her:
When Trisha isn’t busy cuddling her rescue cats she writes about life, writing, people and items from the past, and then adds a few children’s stories to the mix. Her book, Embracing 60, is scheduled for release in late 2018.
Webpage: www.trishafaye.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/texastrishafaye
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Hi Trisha, lovely to see you over at Leanne's Social Saturday. Unfortunately, my parents did not live past their mid 60s as both died from cancer. Dad was 37 years ago, a month before my daughter was born, and Mum passed 32 years ago. Having lost my brother 3 years ago to cancer at aged 65, it has reinforced my thoughts on aging that I've had since my parents died. Life is there to be lived, I try not to focus on the number but rather how I live my life. Your parents are wonderful role models and I agree we certainly have a different perception of what 'old' is these days. I've never been on a Zip line but perhaps I need to add that to my list! Have a great weekend and thanks Leanne for another interesting guest. xx
ReplyDeleteMaybe your parents have inspired you too Sue - in a different way to Trisha's but still giving you the impetus to live your best life and not take it for granted. You are leading the pack when it comes to being physically active and also having lots of other interests that keep you young - you inspire me every time I read your blog xx
DeleteHi, Trisha - It's a pleasure to read more about you here. Your post is very timely. I'm turning 60 this October and want to do my best to stay as active as ever (even more so). I am inspired by all of the fantastic examples around me...including the ones in your post!! Thank you for sharing this! And thank you, Leanne, for another terrific Social Saturday.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna - isn't it lovely reading about others who are a little bit older than us but not slowing down - if anything they're tackling life with more gusto! I'm surprised that my 50's have been so great and now I'm beginning to believe that my 60's might be even better than I expected them to be - we're going to rock them!
DeleteHi Trisha. How great that your parents are still thriving. My dad passed in his early sixties but my mom is still going at 95. She has her issues but is still living on her own and driving locally. I hope I can be as independent. Thanks for the introduction, Leanne.
ReplyDeleteHi Janet - 90 seems to be quite attainable and certainly not the feeble elderly stage that we used to see. I'm hoping that we'll see more and more people living life as well as your mum is in their 90's - it's certainly an improvement on moldering in an old folks home :)
DeleteHow lucky you are to have your parents still doing so well. Mine are a few years gone and I miss them every day. Your mom and dad sound like firecrackers... maybe a little slower but still embracing life. I've ziplined once so I can check that off my list. But, just so you know, it was pretty scary and fun... I recommend it highly, if only to be able to say you did it.
ReplyDeleteHi Trisha Faye, I’m Leanne’s Mum and my name is Faye too. I enjoyed your post on ageing. Age is but a number, although we seem to be more preoccupied thinking about our encroaching years the older we get. My Mum passed at 98 and Dad at 67. I have 10 years on Dad, but not sure if I want to get to Mum’s age. Keeping active is definitely the answer to living to a ripe old age, even if it is out in the garden as my dear old Mum always loved to be.
DeleteHi Janis - I think I'm going to have to give ziplining a shot before I get too much older - just to tick it off the list too! I'm sorry your parents aren't around any longer but they must have been pretty terrific to have created such a great daughter!
DeleteThanks for your kind comments everyone! I've tried to reply to each individually, but my computer is being cranky and it won't cooperate on the 'reply' button.
ReplyDeleteSue - Thanks for stopping in. I'm so sorry that you lost your parents so young - and a brother too. Cancer bites. I lost my step-dad and step-son to cancer. Sending you a friends hugs from Texas/USA.
Retirement Reflections - 1958 was a good year, wasn't it? Congratulations on the 60 coming up. I dreaded it for a year (or more) before I got here, but have enjoyed each and every day since.
Janet - How wonderful that Mum is still independent, driving, and living alone at 95! Even with some minor issues, which is to be expected, it's wonderful to hear that she's doing so well. She sounds like a good example you'll be able to follow.
Janis - Thanks for the recommendation to try zip-lining. Maybe I'll have to add it to my list, if only to try and 'check off the box'. A friend did bring up kick-boxing today. There's a 10-day free pass at a local gym, so we're going to give it a try. It's never been something that I wanted to try - but hey - it's free, so let's give it a go.
Faye - Great name! It's nice to 'meet you' here in this virtual world. I think the world of your daughter, from what I've learned of her through her posts and our communications back and forth in this virtual world. Kudos to you on raising such a terrific daughter!
Trisha - Mum had trouble with the Reply button when she posted last week too. I think it's a Google thing with commenting atm - they're playing around in the background! I'm sure my readers will be more than happy to read your responses the way you've figured out - and thanks for coming up with a solution xx
DeleteHi Mum - lovely to see you commenting here and waving the banner for people in their 70's who are leading great lives. And you're right - staying active - going for walks, travelling, getting out in the car - they are all ways to keep your body and mind healthy and young xx
ReplyDeleteTrisha I can highly recommend zip lining as I did it just this year and I'm only 57! I was terrified beforehand but I was determined to do it as my dad had set the example to me - so we have that in common! I really enjoyed your post here at Leanne's and wish you well :)
ReplyDeleteYay! The reply button is working now!
DeleteThanks for speaking up in favor of ziplining. How fun that your Dad was the first to do it too!
Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Deb - there seems to be a bit of a common theme of Midlifers taking on the zip-lining challenge. I'm starting to feel a little bit left out that my dad didn't do it and I haven't gotten around to it yet.
DeleteTrisha, so nice to meet you. I'll need to check out your blog. My mother just turned 99 in August and even though she's mostly blind, lived alone until last year when my husband and I moved in with her so I could care for her. My mother was 42 when she had me and I always related old to be 10 years older than she was. Which currently means that old is 109.
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts about old be 10 years older than your mom! How wonderful that she's still 99 and was able to live alone for so long. But I'm glad that you and hubby can help her out now.
DeleteHave a wonderful day!
It's funny how the concept of "old" keeps shifting isn't it Jen? I think of myself as being younger than I am and that "old" is a long way ahead of me - my Mum has stayed young, so I'm hoping she's set the benchmark for all our family too. 109 sounds about right to qualify as being old.
DeleteTrisha, great to see you here and great to hear about your parents! They are amazing role models for us all. My mom is starting to slow down a bit, at 85. It's funny though that she reads my blog and has tried to implement some of the things I recommended about staying connected and being active. We can all learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other. So, yes... try the zip-lining. I'm glad I did it (2 years ago now) even though I wouldn't do it again. And ... did I hear you say kick-boxing! Now that is something I would try, especially if there was a free class! You go, girl!
ReplyDeleteYes, kickboxing. I'll find out Monday at the first lesson. We'll see if it continues past the first week LOL
DeleteHow nice your mom reads your blog and stays involved. My mom's not 'connected' so I have to print out things to mail her. But I will say she is my biggest fan. And my dad's a blogger too. He's probably been blogging at least as long as I have, if not longer. He's all over keyboards and computers like he grew up with them.
My Mum is my biggest fan too - it took her a while to get into the whole online "thing" but now she's a Pinterest addict, reads all my posts, and guested here last week. Age is definitely only a number - unless you choose to use it as an excuse. I want to keep living my best life for as long as possible - and having zip-lining (and blogging) genes certainly helps!
DeleteHi Trisha, My genetics do not support an active lifestyle beyond 60, but my mindset does, so I plan to be zip-lining well into my 80's. Thanks for the reminder to keep moving and stay connected.
ReplyDeleteHello Suzanne! I think our mindset is our greatest asset - and sometimes our biggest detriment. I think we can motivate ourselves (and sometimes limit ourselves) with the power of our thoughts. I'm glad you're mindset has you zip-lining well into your 80's!
DeleteHave a WONDERFUL day!
I don't think my genetics will play well for ziplining in my 80's either Suzanne - but I intend to be doing as much as I can for as long as I can - you can't ask much more than that!
DeleteI planned to be running still when I turned 80. Sadly, a knee injury in my fifties prevented that. So I bike every morning, weather permitting and stationary bike in my basement when the snow falls. And I'm grateful every day for the things that still work!
ReplyDeleteSometimes the Plan B's in our life are just as good - or better - than what we'd originally planned. I'm sorry to hear of your knee injury - but am very happy that you went to "Plan B" and filled your life with another activity that helps keep you healthy and well.
DeleteGratitude for what still works...that's the best thought!!
Have a blessed day!
I didn't know you'd been a runner in a former life Diane - I can't say I'm surprised because you look pretty lean and limber - shame about the knee giving up the ghost on you though :( At least you're not completely off the table for being fit and healthy.
DeleteMy father died when I was 12, and mother died two years ago... While she wasn't adventurous, my father was a fighter pilot and could fly everything! Motorcycles... no! But I did race cars for nine years and did the fastest, highest and longest zipline in the world... It was in Alaska and started out over a mile high and was over a mile long. That was a few years ago, so I'm sure there's something else that's the "hot ticket" now. Brenda
ReplyDeleteBrenda is there anything you can't do?? I bet you and Wonder Woman are the same person - and you climb mountains in your spare time - and fight crime!
DeleteHi Trisha,
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely read, specially about the 1919 story where the 60 year old was considered to be an old man! I loved hearing about your parents exploits, zip lining and riding mobikes. Fabulous. MY mum is 82 and as active as they come. She cycles everywhere and looks fabulous too.
Isn't it great having Mums who are still young and active and setting great examples for us Kalpanaa? My Mum is living large and I love that!
DeleteLeanne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. My Mom turned 93 this year and still drives and lives alone. She's contributes it to the grace of God and staying active. I try to stay active too. This summer I went gocart riding with my grandson on their 80 acre property and we had a blast. Even run through the creek. You just need to keep going. I turned 71 this year and haven;t slowed down yet.
Stop by Over The Moon Linky Party since you are being featured.
Hugs,
Bev
Leanne, your Dad didn’t like scary rides of any sort after a visit to Luna Park in Sydney in his teen years. When we visited the fun parks in Queensland, he refused to try any rides and so I went on my own. If a zip line was nearby I might give it a go, in the meantime I am settling for starting yoga classes again next week. I tried it over 30 years ago before a replacement knee slowed down my antics. It will be interesting to see what I am capable of nowadays.
DeleteGreat to chat Trisha Faye. Keep on keeping on.