• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

CONSIDER THIS with Annette Petrick

Timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks

  • Home
  • About
  • Topics
  • Story Library
  • Reviews
  • Connect

To Age Gracefully

To Age Gracefully
Play

Backstory  

A ten-year-old recently touched my arm to be sure she had my attention. She then advised that she observed that I am “aging gracefully.”  Bewildered, I wondered what her innocent eyes saw or felt that gave her that amusing but gratifying impression. She seemed so sincere, like she knew exactly what aging gracefully would look like.

You know what I think she saw?  Joy!  We had chatted for a while and shared joyful thoughts. I think she saw that at any age, having joy in your heart will move you along with grace.

Today’s story is about a more-than-mature woman who found her joy and wanted to pass it on.

To Age Gracefully  

Rose was 87 years old and in her first year at college. When a classmate asked her why she was attending school, she responded with a twinkle in her eye that she wanted to meet boys, get married, and have babies. Then, she admitted that she always wanted a college degree but was always supporting someone else’s education or career.  Now, it was her time.

Rose made so many friends and was so popular that at the end of the year, they asked her to give a speech at the football banquet.  Here is the wisdom she shared:

“We do not stop playing because we are old. We grow old because we stopped playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You’ve got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. And as you choose a career, remember that we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.

There is a huge difference between growing old and growing up. Growing old is mandatory. That doesn’t take any talent or ability. Growing up is optional. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity and change.

And for heaven’s sake, have no regrets. The elderly usually don’t have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. And the only people who fear death are those with regrets.”

P.S. Rose did all the right things. She kept warm relationships and I’ll bet she avoided smoking and alcohol. With strong social support, she experienced less mental deterioration as she aged.  But above all, she experienced joy – every single day.

[Show #536]

Filed Under: Advice and Encouragement, Memories and Aging Well Tagged With: aging, Inspiration, life lessons

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elizabeth Herbert Cottrell says

    November 7, 2021 at

    How blessed I am to have had some amazing examples of graceful aging in my family, and in friends like you, Annette. You are a constant inspiration, and I agree that your openness to joy is something that sets you apart.

    Reply
    • Annette Petrick says

      November 14, 2021 at

      You have learned well about aging gracefully from family members, Elizabeth.

      Reply
  2. Abder says

    November 7, 2021 at

    This line ” we make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give” took me back over 25 years ago where I knew 2 brothers lived their lives that way, one passed away at the age of 109, and the other one at the age of 114, both were brothers, and yes both were my grandpas!!!!!!

    kindest regards,
    Abder

    Reply
    • Annette Petrick says

      November 14, 2021 at

      Sounds like the world benefitted from the giving of both of your grandpas, Abder.

      Reply
  3. Dan Dobson says

    November 7, 2021 at

    I not only want to play the game right to the end but I want to come sliding into home,
    head first dirty and bruised.
    PS: I bet the 87 year old did not avoid a bit of the fermented grape.

    Reply
    • Annette Petrick says

      November 14, 2021 at

      I can’t imagine your landing any other way, Dan.

      Reply
  4. Pat Fisher says

    November 7, 2021 at

    Annette, you indeed live your life in this manner, setting a role model for others.

    Reply
    • Annette Petrick says

      November 14, 2021 at

      Hoping to see you again soon, Pat.

      Reply
  5. Cathie Taylor says

    November 7, 2021 at

    Wonderful story!!🥰🌹

    Reply
    • Annette Petrick says

      November 14, 2021 at

      I’d love to tell you the full story of the encounter with the little girl, Cathie.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to the Podcast & Blog Post


(Your information is safe with me. I use MailChimp to send weekly emails that link to my most recent podcast episode and blog post. I never sell or share your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.)

Now Featured in Grand Magazine

A new adventure for Consider This Radio Show! We're now featured in Grand Magazine, and YOU can subscribe for free! Click here to subscribe. It's my gift to you!

Grand mag subscribe Feb 2019

NOTE: Grand Magazine subscription does not automatically subscribe you to my Sunday morning email. See below to be included in Sunday Morning Friends. 

Connect with me!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • Autumn
  • Best Mother’s Day Gift
  • Heartfelt Letter from Annette
  •      Final Sunday Consider This Story
  • The Christmas Pageant

Find Shows by Category

Active Member
Virginia Bloggers

Virginia Bloggers logo

Tale Tellers of St Augustine

Virginia Storytelling Alliance logo

Cowbird logoRead and hear Annette’s stories on Cowbird.com, a public library of human experience: stories from writers in 185 countries.

Active Member

Shenandoah County Chamber-Logo

rotary international logo

2X Paul Harris Fellow
J. Carl Coiner Award for
outstanding service
2018-2019

Recent Posts

  • Autumn
  • Best Mother’s Day Gift
  • Heartfelt Letter from Annette
  •      Final Sunday Consider This Story
  • The Christmas Pageant

Categories

  • Home
  • About
  • Topics
  • Story Library
  • Reviews
  • Connect

© 2024 Annette Petrick - Consider This Radio Show. All Rights Reserved.