What’s the magic answer to being a centenarian?
Food, lifestyle, or where you live?
Lots of kids, ability to laugh, rich or poor?
Genetics, spirituality or less stress?
The holy grail of age. I don’t want it if I’m in a nursing home hooked up to tubes and fed meds…no thanks. Just let me pass away gracefully without a fuss. I came into the world with smiles among me, and I want to leave that way. Rejoice for my life. Just spread my ashes somewhere peaceful.
But if I do live to have a 3-digit birthday, believe me, it’ll be one serious bash. All are welcome. Just another day to celebrate a century of a life. I see palm trees, blue water, mountains, piña coladas and many great memories that you’ll have to remind me of. The bucket list will be fully checked off and since most of them are mental and physical feats, I’ll be one tough cookie. I want to jump out of a plane, do some more night dives, climb some 14ers, become deeper spiritually and emotionally, detach from material things, and touch tons of lives.
How do we get there?
Physical commonalities of most centenarians tend to be genetic traits, tall and lean, no heart disease or diabetes, and most showed no signs of dementia before 92. Don’t rule yourself out though if you don’t fit, because you never know.
Common characteristics of most centenarians include:
♦ No heavy smoking or alcohol.
♦ A surprising number of women had babies in their 40’s. If a woman is fertile into her 40’s, it can be a sign that the body is aging slower than normal.
♦ They have at least one other long-lived close relative in their family histories.
♦ They have an innate ability to deal with stress.
♦ Most have live in non-industrial and less toxic environments.
♦ They are profound believers in the spiritual, and are actively involved in their religion.
My grandparents are well into their 80’s. The last five years have been a bit hard for them; my grandma has deteriorating eyesight and my grandpa’s mind isn’t what it used to be, but they’re still strong. They’ve had nine kids of which include seven girls. My grandpa should be dead by now growing up with one bathroom for eleven people, and the financial strain for food, clothes and Catholic school.
But my grandpa is different breed. He has the most soothing voice, calm personality, and no matter how often my grandma freaks out, he takes it with grace and poise. He has this natural ability to ride the waves of stress, and also to pass it onto others. He used to take us “To the moon for stinky cheese”, (out for ice cream), always gives me squeezy hugs, holds my face in his hands and tells me how much he loves me. Just thinking of him gives me a sense of peace. What would the family do without grandpa?
Grandma gets the rest of the family to really feel. She has a spirit that soars like an eagle. She’s the light of all of our lives and she cares about everyone. She burns food that everyone finally started to love (did we have a choice?), feeds us ’til we’re more than full, and always tells us “I’m sooo proud of you”. She insists on giving all of her 28 grandchildren and great grandchildren gifts at Christmas. And she’d be rich if she owned stock in Hallmark cards because all 37 of us get a birthday card, even though she can’t see it well. Can you imagine having seven daughters taking your clothes and your mind? Not to mention the trouble-maker boys. What a true blessing she is to the family.
But the common thread between the two is their deep faith in God. They are the strong pillars of our family. They ground us when life gets crazy.
So make your bucket list and start checking it off, treat your body like a temple, let those gnarly, mean people roll past you, and see your life beyond the surface. Treasure everyday that you share, dance, look someone in the eye and smile, dream, be warm and open to others…
…and invite me to your 3-digit birthday so we can celebrate. Colada cheers.
(cake photo credit)
(hammock photo credit)
