Doing weekly health stories, I interview a lot of people dealing with countless medical conditions. Yesterday I spent time with a husband and wife BOTH diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The interesting thing, they seem really happy. Married for 60+ years and in their mid-80s, they live in a nice assisted living facility apartment. When asked how things are going health-wise, they both said fine. But not being able to drive or not having as much energy were minor setbacks. Amazing! And people my age are upset about waiting at a red light. (At least I am from time to time.) Week after week, it never fails. I meet and talk with people facing incredible challenges… Lou Gehrig’s, cancer recurrence, Parkinson’s… and I come away reevaluating my life. If I’m “lucky”, I’ll end up living to be 80+ maintaining a positive attitude despite being unable to drive or to count on my mind to serve me well. A recent motivational speaker in town said Darwin’s theory on longevity comes down to this: adapt and adjust. Clearly my story subjects this week have adopted that philosophy. Who cares about a serious diagnosis if you can’t change the cards you’ve been dealt. Hold hands, hang with your spouse on the couch and live out the rest of your life like you did the years that brought you to this point. With thanks, grace and humility.
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 15
This post was written by Tara on October 21, 2009
My 93 year old cousin passed away this week and he lived in assisted living apartment for several years, drove his car up until the past year, had a pace maker put in, wore it out and had it replaced and had osterprosis, yet never complained. I hope I can be like him, I probably complain more at 56 than he ever did, it’s time for me to stop that.
AMEN!! I heard that speaker, and she was awesome! Maya Angelou also has a quote that basically says “if you don’t like something, change it. if you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain!” We need to much more thankful, and less negative. And – I believe that changes your whole life! Well, my faith has something to do with that too
Wonderful blog!