On Sunday, the oldest Canadian and American woman, Mary Josephine Ray, died at age 114 years, 294 days. On the same day, the oldest African American woman, Daisey Bailey, also died at age 113 years, 342 days. She became the fourth oldest person in the world when, in January, another 114 year old, Maggie Renfro, passed away.
And with them go all their memories of an era very few of us can imagine.
Hardships, endurances, loves, wars, inventions, agonies and ecstasies.
We are amazed by the speed and intricacies of the internet.
They were amazed by the invention of electricity.
My parents both lived to their 90s. My father had health issues for most of my life, several of which could have claimed his life, but didn't. He spent many years in and out of various hospitals, but no matter how many times he wished to die, his body stubbornly continued to fight death. My mother had a few health issues, though none of them were life threatening until the last two weeks of her life.
With such genes coursing through my body, I hope I have invested wisely. One of my greater fears is outliving my money. I have no children to take me into their care (although that is never a guarantee) and no spouse to resent my dependence on them (also not a guarantee, though more likely than not to happen).
We've all seen the statistics for our respective countries - we are an ever aging population the world over.
As an aside, while writing this, I was also doing laundry. 
There is a bookshelf with a variety of reading material to be shared.... this is what I found sitting on top.
Art Linkletter himself is still alive at age 97!
I am not sure I would want to live to 114 years. Or even 100 years. Though getting that letter from the Queen would be nice. Oh wait, she'd have to live to be 132...
In the meantime, I just want to make it to next Sunday.
It all depend s on how gracefully and with how much style I get to grow old, but not in an old age home, please. That would make me sad. I'd rather not get that old then. I don't want to survive my daughter, I have already survived my son. Around 82 would be nice.
ReplyDeleteUgh, the very idea of living to 100 makes my blood run cold. I'd like to go at the respectable age of 80 or so...
ReplyDeleteWith my luck I'll make it to 110.
Damn.
I hope you live just as long as you'd like to live. And cool! Now I know your age. You are younger than I thought.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that I am more tired now than when I began reading your post...and that I have to leave to pick up my 3 year old grandson who is staying with us until his parents return. By that time I will be even more tired, but sad to see him leave, eventhough I will see him again 6 days after that.
ReplyDeleteWhat am I trying to say...I have completely forgotten, but it is nice to be able to chalk it up to old age.
I guess I am just happy I was able to get out of bed this morning! And move around on my own. I would hate to be dependent on others for my everyday needs. I do have a child, but I doubt that he would be able to afford to care for us if the time ever came. 'tis a problem for sure as our population ages. The question will be...who will care for these people!?!
ReplyDeleteSigh!
Hugs
SueAnn
Nora: Yes, one wants to get old as gracefully as possible. I wouldn't mind being in a home, depending on which one (and I would be very particular). Some of them are very good and I think being with other people and having programs arranged would be a good thing. You would be needing new friends by then, for sure.
ReplyDeleteJazz: If you do, will you still be blogging? Your rants should be really good by then.
ReplyDeleteGeewits: erm, wait a minute ------- younger than you thought?? I'm used to people saying I am older than they thought. I have to think about this.
ReplyDeleteSistertex: haha. I understand about the tired feeling. I am heading out to the gym now for my first session with a personal trainer. My goal: to be able to walk the 3 blocks without feeling too winded.
ReplyDeleteI really would rather curl on the sofa and nap. But I may have a lot of old age left to do that.
SueAnn: Yes, that being dependent bit is another fear. I just hope I am not too stubborn if or when the need arises.
ReplyDeleteMy parents are both still living so I am not sure about longevity - but they have both survived two bouts of cancer each, so we're a hardy lot.
ReplyDeleteHi Violet
ReplyDeleteI too hope you make it through to next week so that we get at least one more laugh from you...
happy days
The years are unimportant, being is.
ReplyDeleteSAW: My parents were the longest living in each of their families. Don't really know what that will mean.
ReplyDeleteDelwyn: I will do my best. (but just in case, I have next week's funny bit scheduled to automatically post on Monday)
ReplyDeleteGail: That is my thought, too. I really don't want to be infirm, though. Or poor.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of hoping for quality of life, but a good long life. My mom is turning 80 this year and is in great health. My grandmother lived to be 100 and was fine until probably the last 5 or 6 years when she went into a home, but she still had some very lucid moments. So I have that on one side of the family. On the other, not so much, although my dad lived the longest of all his 10 siblings, till not-quite-82.
ReplyDeleteAll that being said, I'd really just like to live long enough to terrorize and embarrass DD (well, more than she claims I already do!).
Pinklea: Well, yes, having a goal in mind will certainly help keep you going.
ReplyDeleteI on the other hand am a bit nervous because my parents...and my sister...died young...
ReplyDeleteTo age gracefully I guess I will "Plan for the Worst and Hope for the Best"...
I recently attended a 100th birthday for a friend of mine. If I could be in the kind of great shape he's in I'd be happy to live until 100 and beyond. If not, no thank you.
ReplyDeletejj
It's an awkward subject - I would like to make it past Sunday! But to become 114? I wonder how functional I would be then? Don't worry about money- by that time, you won't care about fashion anymore, probably not skiing vacations in Europe or a Safari in Africa, so you'll be saving lots of money!:)
ReplyDeleteOliag: then again, my parents lived longer than any of their siblings (and far longer than their parents)
ReplyDeleteYes, that plan for the worst, hope for the best sounds good.
Joanna: so keep doing those crosswords and sudoku to keep your mind alert! I once met a woman in her 70s who was learning Mandarin for an upcoming trip to China.
ReplyDeleteJeannette: I am more worried about affording the 'gracious living' retirement home than fashion. And any support people I may need. I will definitely be looking for a housekeeping person!
ReplyDeleteInteresting and thought provoking post!
ReplyDeleteI think the clue to longevity is not so much genetics as leading a life with minimal tension, stress, pressure.
DUTA: sounds good - but you never met my parents!
ReplyDeleteWhat's happening next Sunday? And don't worry - you won't need too much money living in the south of France - especially if you're sharing a villa with a couple of other old biddies who will all help to look after each other.
ReplyDeleteXUP: I get a little closer to old biddydom. Oh and, there will be lots of wine to dull nay pain so no meds needed.
ReplyDeleteVioletSky, there is certainly no guarantee that children will care for you in old age or that one dies before their spouse. I bought long-term health care which is not cheap but is supposed to provide for in-home health care when I need it... What sort of old age health care do they offer in Canada? Maybe that's the way to go...
ReplyDeleteI read this with tears in my eyes, My father's life spanned out similarly to your own. Just reluctant to let go.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fine tribute to our 'elders'. If I reach 80, that'll do nicely!
Your post put me in a little melancholy mood. I find the older I get the less relevant age is. Our governments have defined some relevant ages (16 for driving, 18 for fighting in a war, 21 for drinking, 65+ for retiring). I have passed all of these milestones without significant problems. And when we visit the Doc for our checkups, the others in the waiting room appear older than me, so I think I am getting great medical care! My Dad was 91 when he died. The week before his death, he said he had accomplished all he could and reminisced about events that occurred during his life, from the early days of flight to men on the moon. His wish was to again be with Mom who had died 4 years earlier. Have a plan for tomorrow; save something for the day after; and don't worry too much about the distant events that you cannot control is my philosophy.
ReplyDeleteMary: Our health care provides for the basics and there are the usual cutbacks happening. Who knows what will be left in the next 30 years?
ReplyDeleteLena: we were constantly surprised at how strong the will of the body can be. it was a shame really.
ReplyDeleteLew: I didn't really mean to be so melancholy (or make anyone else feel that way - sorry!) Age seems to be most relevant to us when we are young, then becomes less and less relevant until we reach a certain age when everyone is impressed that we are still functioning.
ReplyDeleteI've always told the Hubs that when I feel like it's my time to go, I want to just go out to a mountain with a book and just wait for it to be over...the way Native Americans used to do it. They can even burn me on a pyre, if they so desire. Sounds like a good way to go.
ReplyDeleteSusan: I see. you are taking full control of your life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I like the idea of sitting on a mountaintop reading until I die. what if I don't finish the book? I could end up in purgatory wondering forever how it ended, wandering like a lost ghost.
besides, I'd like to think I had someone I loved with me to hold my hand while I slipped away.