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Longevity - Do I Want it or Not? |
| Last Sunday, there was an article in the paper about a lady, Dr. Leila Denmark, turning 110 years old.?It read, "[Dr. Leila] Denmark, one of Georgia's first pediatricians and first female doctors, celebrated her 110th birthday Friday by forgoing a sugary treat and taking a ride in a restored 1930 Model A Ford."?Some people fear death, but I tend to have more fear of reaching some ripe old age and having the idea of car rides and sugary treats be but a distant memory.?I sometimes see elderly people wheeled around?a store or restaurant, staring at nothing, while family members discuss the individual's physical impairments as though they are not even there.?I've know of elderly people who spend their final years (not months or days) in their "favorite chair" while the TV (they probably can't hear) blares away.?Is this really living??Of the three grandparents I knew in life, each spent their final years in very different ways.?My grandmother Rhudy is still with us physcially, but left must mentally years ago.?She suffers from alzheimer's disease and recognizes very few people anymore.?My "ma-maw" left us about 2 years ago.?She was very active up until the final few months of her life.?My granddaddy passed away back in 1989, but went quite suddenly.?He had been out to dinner the night before and aside from a few minor health problems seemed to be doing fine.???His passing took us all by surprise, but I am happy that his final years of life were active and not in pain nor did they cause his family members great hardship.?I know these are not things that a 30 year old should ponder.?This article got me thinking though and I wanted to share these thoughts.?It seems there is a great difference between "living" and "being?alive".?This comparison can be applied to young and old alike.?Is the life you lead to day "living" or "existing"??If it is the latter, ponder what could make it the former.?For me, I'd like to think that I am taking part of the former.?Despite long hours with work and school, I plan to start my latest film project tomorrow.?Yes, another project to consume even more of my all ready limited time.?It will be stressful, but I can't wait to get started!?On a bright note, the article about Dr. Denmark states, "In 1928, she was the third ever female graduate from the Medical College of Georgia.?Though the cultural norm was for women to?stop working after they tied the knot, Denmark continued to practice medicine until seven years ago."?This lady was practicing medicine until age 103!?I can only hope that I find a career or calling that I will be compelled to work in for over 70 years.?I'd say Dr. Denmark has definitely?spent 110 years?"living" her life and from the way she celebrated her 110th birthday, I'd say she continues to do so.?THE FULL TEXT OF THE ARTICLE REFERENCED IS BELOW -
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