I am creating a picture in my mind of the kind of older person I want to be. My mom tells a story of her grandmother who knew everyone in town and was such a joy to be around that when she put a jar in the local watering hole saying "Send Maude to Hawaii" They actually did.
I want to be the adorable short grandmotherly type as my spine shrinks but big in personality. I want the people who I interact with to shake their heads and laugh "Oh that's just Jen." Where I can get away with anything like wearing fuzzy dog slippers to the store.
I want to be involved in the lives of my brother and sister, not only reminiscing but creating new memories.
I want to always be able to entertain with stories of adventure and at the same time have the ability to step back and simply listen to another person with my whole attention.
I want to be on the dance floor at a wedding rocking it out to JT's "Sexy Back", walker and all.
I want to ski, skydive, and rock climb no matter how much my back may hurt. Knowing that it would hurt more if I stopped moving.
I want to travel to a new country every year or two, taking crazy pictures with the strangers I met on the trip who become my new friends for the duration.
I want to brighten up the days of everyone I met from my friends to the lady at the eye care clinic.
The most important thing I understand about this cute 88 year old I want to be is that I won't wake up at that age and suddenly start all of those things. Instead, it is patterns an behaviors that are put in place now. Practicing patience when the line at the grocery is moving slowly, the ability to enjoy the simple things in life, and the perseverance and strength to get back up when plans fall apart. Most importantly to enjoy the process of getting there. gr
