It would have been my dear husband’s 70th
birthday today, so I went over to the cemetery to say hi to him. (I did a lot of talking, but he was pretty
quiet!).
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| There was a carpet of acorns beneath the oak trees |
My parents are also in this cemetery and I spent some time
wandering around reading headstones and recognising many of their friends.
One thing that struck me though, was that most of them had
lived well into their 80s with quite a few making it into their 90s.
I knew a lot of these people. Many of them were heavy drinkers (mostly beer),
a lot of them were smokers. They ate lots
of red meat and had pudding after their dinner.
I don’t recall any of them worrying about how much water they had drunk
that day or what exercise they had done.
They lived their lives to the full and laughed a lot. When things went wrong, they simply picked up
their shovel and carried on.
I wonder if there is a lesson for us in there somewhere?
Margaret 😊
Hard day for you. You lost your husband young. I wonder about people who seem to be breaking all the health rules and live long lives anyway.
ReplyDeleteBoth of my parents died in their 70's Barb's mom in her 30's. They would be in their 90's and 80's respectively. We often wonder what it would be like if they were still alive all these decades later.
ReplyDeleteIt does make you think, but we have too many plastics and chemicals in our modern world.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was a bittersweet visit. I've thought the same thing...how did grandparents live into their 90's, but so many people I know now are lost decades earlier? Is it what's in the food today? Is it the lifestyle? I admit the older I get the more I worry...I love that you said they lived lives fully and laughed and soldiered on...good lesson for all of us. Mary
ReplyDeleteOh, Margaret.
ReplyDeleteMy W does that daily. He drives on his push-bike to the cemetery to talk to his wife.
Well. I have to say in 20seconds-blips "not so loud!" to Ingo (he works in a loud place) - now I want him to be loud.
I admit. I love a beer. And last summer I preferred to sit on the balcony vs training inside.
We need to ENJOY life!
And yet some buy "vegan water" - that makes me want to laugh, or scream, or cry.
Let us find us in the middle!
A bit healthy and LOADS of fun! (and no smoking, please!).
I hope you had a nice conversation with your Hubby. My Brother strongly believes our loved ones are "up there" - or somewhere, take care of us, watch over us and listen.
And why not?
As long as we don´t forget about them they are still here.
With that Jeanie encouraged me to start exactly that.
Maybe you like to pop in tomorrow.. and join me?
What a pretty spot to do some visiting and lots of talking! :)
ReplyDeleteI know some smokers and drinkers here who are in their late 80s and others with no vices who went too early. There's a lot more involved and enjoying life is a must.
ReplyDeleteIt does make you wonder what the use is of trying so hard to live a healthy life style. I think finding a happy medium is the best. GM
ReplyDeleteIt's not just the vices. Those forebears probably ate whole food, grown locally and always in season. I reckon processed food and anything any time food has a lot more to answer for than beer and tobacco.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about the lesson in there!
ReplyDeleteA trip home is never complete for me until I've had a chat at the graves of my parents and my maternal grandparents. They all lived to just on 90, three great uncles lived to past 100. They all lived simply, ate what was available, when it was available, worked hard, enjoyed a beer, telling a good yarn and lots of laughter. I don't recall any of them smoking. I'm pretty sure our diet and lifestyle are what make the difference.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I think I went anonymous again. I have to remember to enter my details each time.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should not take everything "they" say as truth. "Don't eat red meat", "Don't eat chicken", "Don't eat fish because of mercury or polluted water", . . . then soon after you hear "them" saying "Red meat is a great source of protein" and "Eating more chicken and fish is the healthiest way to go". I'm convinced what "they" say is more about economy than health. The other thing is that people from past generations didn't have all the push buttons of today . . . they even had to get out of their chair and exercise just to change the channel on the TV. Most of them didn't need to go to the gym, they got plenty of exercise with the daily household and gardening chore. Not to mention work was not all day in front of a computer; many jobs actually require sweating, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI always think I will still talk to Roger, if he goes before I do. My neighbor smoked strong, unfiltered cigarettes every day, and she lived into her 80's. She has been gone several years and I miss her.
ReplyDelete