“Aging ain’t for old people.”–B., my 93-year-old home health patient.

In honor of Suzanne completing another trip around the sun yesterday, we decided it was time to once again offer our readers our sage advice on aging. But first, let’s continue the celebration for Suzanne.

She offered this picture from a much earlier birthday with our younger brother Ryan:

Suzanne hit the double-nickel yesterday. Smack in the middle of her decade, just like Gail is in the middle of hers at 65. She spent the day with her husband, and I had the honor of taking her to dinner and spending the evening with her. As always, her company is a sheer delight.

Gail and I will have an extended celebration for her next week, as we are preparing to head northeast tomorrow after work, as in, to Michigan to visit Gail’s daughter Abby–the “Dimes From Heaven” niece. It is time for us take another sister’s trip, and it is time for us to visit Abby–likely overdue.

But first, back to the topic at hand.

There was a 109-year old woman who lived near our hometown who recently passed away after her long life. She reported that the secret to her long life was to avoid other people. While that goes against most research and observations, it must be taken into consideration because apparently, it worked for her.

On March 18th, 2018, I posted “The Sister’s Guide to Middle-Aging.” Since we have aged seven years since then, our perspective has only grown richer, and we are ripe with more advice. When I asked Gail and Suzanne by text for their input on this topic, this is what I got:

Suzanne also offered this insider fashion tip: “Don’t dress in a way that’s in style, dress with style. There’s a big difference. My current style looks like I’m homeless, but it’s very low maintenance and inexpensive. Plus, it makes people wonder, ‘Is she a 12-year-old headed to gym class or a nursing home escapee?’ Sweatpants and T-shirts are a clever disguise.“

Thank you, Suzanne, for that indispensable information.

***************

When I meet a patient or their family member who seems to be aging very well, I usually make a point to ask them what their secrets are. By and large, the answers boil down to two things: keep your body moving and keep your mind moving.

My 102-year-old patient would add that we should all have as much fun as we can as long as we are able. I wholly agree with her. She is always excited to hear that I am gallivanting yet somewhere else again, and I quoted her in regards to that: “As long as you have your health and the money to go, just go! Go and have fun in all those places you want to go to.”

In my last post, I extolled the virtues of having fun. I am convinced it matters, and apparently, she is, too. She has lived her life as a testament to that as much as she possibly can, and continues to plan monthly parties for her friends and family in her home.

Gail replied immediately after I sent the text out this morning: “Have fun, don’t worry. Don’t stress.” I’m sensing a theme here…

*************

The Sisters of The Sister Lode will spend this week in Michigan with Gail’s daughter Abby. I was there last summer, and I am so excited to go back. We don’t get to see her enough, and remaining connected to our loved ones is the secret to healthy and happy aging I would like to share. Despite my strong desire at times to be alone, and to follow the advice of the 109 year-old, I know we all need each other.

What happens in the car on our 14-hour road trip tomorrow and Tuesday will stay in the car, but we can tell you this for sure: we will have fun like we always do, and even more fun connecting with Abby when we get there. And we may come back a bit younger as well.

“This is my preferred photo in all my 55 years. My hair looks amazing!”

Happy 55 Suzanne!