I would first have to ask, “How many years makes a long life?” At the writing of this post, I am sixty years old. Colleagues I work with have a hard time believing I am sixty years old. They have a more difficulty grasping the fact I have grandchildren the same age as they are. With the exception of one employee, I am older than anyone else I work with. The one employee older than myself, she graduated from high school when I was two years old.
Yet, I do not feel “old” or even act “old”. But then I have not been sixty years old before, therefore I am not sure how a sixty year old is to act or feel. I still have dreams and plans for my future. I am training in a new career. I raise registered Dorper sheep, and have hopes of one day showing one to Grand Champion. I attempted to show my first sheep last year, but a family situation kept me busy watching the grandchildren while my husband showed the sheep.
I do chores everyday. I work a job every week. I am still able to lift 80 pounds and place it on a shelf at work. I lift more weight than those much younger than myself. I dance when the right music comes on. I play with the dogs, ride horses and joke around. I do not give a thought to how old I am. I think about what I want to do.
Two young colleagues were talking at work yesterday. One was asking the other about me, since she has worked there longer. The second responded she has done many interesting things in her life, and yes she is the age she says she is. While exiting for the day, the first colleague ask how come she has not seen me there working except on when the truck arrives and we have to put product on the shelves. I said I work the in the meat department, two days a week, in the cold room where no one wants to go and the two truck days, and will be working with the receiving manager, but I can cashier, work frozen, produce areas as well.
The colleague then asked, “Are you really 60 years old?” My reply, “Yes, I was born in 1963.” The colleague responded, ” You do not look sixty. And you do not act 60.” My thoughts were how was a 60 year old supposed to act?
We left work laughing about the fact I am called “Crazy Granny” by my grandchildren because I do not act like a grandmother, I am way to funny and silly.
I do not think it is the number of years a person lives that are important. We are all going to die. Death can meet us as we cross the street, or drive an automobile. Tornados and lightening strike. There are many ways to meet death. I focus on the quality of each day I live. I strive to show kindness to others. I am not afraid to try new things, have new experiences or see things besides in a photo. Each day is the opportunity to learn, to share, to experience, but mostly to live. When I do meet death, I want it to be doing something I am enjoying or in my sleep waiting for the next exciting day.
amtolle
Me, Myself and I 