I have an odd fascination with old people. I think it's because every time i
see someone getting on in years, i think to myself--well, sandra, that's going
to be you one day. That's your future.
I also have an obsession with preparation. I keep thinking that if I mentally prepare myself to be old, then somehow it will make getting out of bed every morning when I'm 95 seem easier. So, to help myself cope with the inevitability of age, I created a list of things I'm going to do when I'm old.
1. Make random and unrelated comments in Sunday School. Everyone says old people are senile, but I think they've discovered the secret of age--people stop judging you. "She's just old," they'll say. And I'll cackle quietly to myself.
2. Drive the biggest monster truck I can find--especially to church every week. I dare anyone to make fun of my driving skills.
3. Take all my life savings and go on a random sight-seeing tour all around the world. I know it's hard to travel when your old, but hey...if I passed away awhile riding a camel on the deserts of Saudia Arabia...well, why not?
4. If I happen to need a wheelchair--have races down the hallways at church, or wal-mart, or the nursing home i might end up with after all my "senile" comments.
5. Eat whatever I want. This was inspired by Sister Hinckley. She said that if she ever lived to be 75, she'd eat whatever she wanted. I hereby declare that my own goal as well.
6. I picture myself sitting in a little armchair in a large private library writing on a small laptop. Yes, in 70 years, I still plan to be writing, and maybe blogging---or whatever people will be doing in the future. I plan to write all the way to my grave.
7. Every time someone asks, "Oh, Sandra! How are you doing today?" I will talk for an hour straight about all the things I still remember, just to test their patience. Young people need to learn patience.
8. Take every opportunity I can to impart of my experienced wisdom. This does happen to be my favorite thing about old people. They really give great advice. Circumstances change, but life goes on for everybody. They know how to keep going.
9. If I go to a nursing home, I will play King's Corner every day like the near-100 yr. old ladies I met the other day. Play cards and talk about my life. They were so content!
So, there you have it. I'm sure it will change as I get older, and less (or maybe more) ambitious. In the meantime, it makes me just a little more excited to get old (what?!). But enough of my delusions. Here's a few things I've learned from the wisdom of the wise--those who've seen and lived it all.
I went to visit a nursing home the other day. While talking to one older lady, I noticed that she seemed to struggle with keeping our conversation on topic. It was hard to follow her. At point she asked where I was from:
"Kansas." I replied. Her eyes lit up, and then she said (off topic, but profound),
"You know, life is what you make it. Some people, they reach for impossible goals, which is fine. But I think--you just got to take what you have and determine to make something of yourself."
I thought that was kind of cool. Really, if I was smart at all, I would stop worrying about the uncertainty of the future (or even the certainty of old age) and simply make the best of myself with what I've been given.
I was somewhat inspired by the visit to this home. I love reading quotes and talking to the people who have seen and been through so much. One day, I hope I get the opportunity to do the ultimate blog. I have this idea about writing a history book---from the eyes of those whose seen and the mouths of those who lived it. Wouldn’t it be cool to read history of the past 100 years simply through the stories of the people who were there at the time? I wonder what the 99 years old lady I talked to would tell me about life as a child during WWI, or what she was doing when Pearl Harbor was attacked. How did her perspective on life change with the Great Depression? What advice would she give for us now?
Just last month, the famous economist Anna Schwartz passed away at the age of 96. She was famous for helping lay down a monetary policy, with Milton Friedman, that helped get the country get out of a deep recession in the 70s. I wondered what it would be like to have interviewed her and asked for her wisdom in today's crisis. Sure she probably never understood facebook or iphones, but she would know how to make the most of the life we've been given. After all, when she eventually wrote about the economic mistakes of the Great Depression, she knew what she was talking about. Because she was in college at the time—getting a masters degree (and eventually Ph. D.) in Economics.
Most college students can't say as much.
I also have an obsession with preparation. I keep thinking that if I mentally prepare myself to be old, then somehow it will make getting out of bed every morning when I'm 95 seem easier. So, to help myself cope with the inevitability of age, I created a list of things I'm going to do when I'm old.
1. Make random and unrelated comments in Sunday School. Everyone says old people are senile, but I think they've discovered the secret of age--people stop judging you. "She's just old," they'll say. And I'll cackle quietly to myself.
2. Drive the biggest monster truck I can find--especially to church every week. I dare anyone to make fun of my driving skills.
3. Take all my life savings and go on a random sight-seeing tour all around the world. I know it's hard to travel when your old, but hey...if I passed away awhile riding a camel on the deserts of Saudia Arabia...well, why not?
4. If I happen to need a wheelchair--have races down the hallways at church, or wal-mart, or the nursing home i might end up with after all my "senile" comments.
5. Eat whatever I want. This was inspired by Sister Hinckley. She said that if she ever lived to be 75, she'd eat whatever she wanted. I hereby declare that my own goal as well.
6. I picture myself sitting in a little armchair in a large private library writing on a small laptop. Yes, in 70 years, I still plan to be writing, and maybe blogging---or whatever people will be doing in the future. I plan to write all the way to my grave.
7. Every time someone asks, "Oh, Sandra! How are you doing today?" I will talk for an hour straight about all the things I still remember, just to test their patience. Young people need to learn patience.
8. Take every opportunity I can to impart of my experienced wisdom. This does happen to be my favorite thing about old people. They really give great advice. Circumstances change, but life goes on for everybody. They know how to keep going.
9. If I go to a nursing home, I will play King's Corner every day like the near-100 yr. old ladies I met the other day. Play cards and talk about my life. They were so content!
So, there you have it. I'm sure it will change as I get older, and less (or maybe more) ambitious. In the meantime, it makes me just a little more excited to get old (what?!). But enough of my delusions. Here's a few things I've learned from the wisdom of the wise--those who've seen and lived it all.
I went to visit a nursing home the other day. While talking to one older lady, I noticed that she seemed to struggle with keeping our conversation on topic. It was hard to follow her. At point she asked where I was from:
"Kansas." I replied. Her eyes lit up, and then she said (off topic, but profound),
"You know, life is what you make it. Some people, they reach for impossible goals, which is fine. But I think--you just got to take what you have and determine to make something of yourself."
I thought that was kind of cool. Really, if I was smart at all, I would stop worrying about the uncertainty of the future (or even the certainty of old age) and simply make the best of myself with what I've been given.
I was somewhat inspired by the visit to this home. I love reading quotes and talking to the people who have seen and been through so much. One day, I hope I get the opportunity to do the ultimate blog. I have this idea about writing a history book---from the eyes of those whose seen and the mouths of those who lived it. Wouldn’t it be cool to read history of the past 100 years simply through the stories of the people who were there at the time? I wonder what the 99 years old lady I talked to would tell me about life as a child during WWI, or what she was doing when Pearl Harbor was attacked. How did her perspective on life change with the Great Depression? What advice would she give for us now?
Just last month, the famous economist Anna Schwartz passed away at the age of 96. She was famous for helping lay down a monetary policy, with Milton Friedman, that helped get the country get out of a deep recession in the 70s. I wondered what it would be like to have interviewed her and asked for her wisdom in today's crisis. Sure she probably never understood facebook or iphones, but she would know how to make the most of the life we've been given. After all, when she eventually wrote about the economic mistakes of the Great Depression, she knew what she was talking about. Because she was in college at the time—getting a masters degree (and eventually Ph. D.) in Economics.
And so, that's what I love about old people. They’re
not only survivors of all that life throws at them, but in many cases they’re
victors; champions. They have years of knowledge and experience piled up and
just waiting to be shared. I know that we don't always remember things as well
when we get older, but I'm always surprised by the clarity of some of the
memories they tell. Some things, they just don't forget. It's that kind of
knowledge through experience that I sort of envy. Because I am an impatient
young person. But i hope I can just make the most of each day, determine to
become something great, rise above circumstance, and be worthy enough to join
the circles of the wise when I get old. I like to talk to old people today,
because they, in most cases, really know how to live.
Most college students can't say as much.
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