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Is our lifespan about growth?

4/1/2015

8 Comments

 
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Humans aren't meant to live forever. We are born into this world, we grow from babies into adults and live about four score years and ten. Some live longer than others, attributing their age to various ways of living, food etc.

Now, the world's oldest living person, Japan's Misao Okawa, has died at the age of 117.

Born to a kimono-maker in Osaka on 5 March 1898, she married in 1919. She leaves behind three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Guinness World Records recognized her as the oldest living woman/person in 2013.

Her tip for a long life was getting at least eight hours of sleep a night and eating sushi, her favorite food.

She lived across three centuries, seeing four emperors of Japan, six British monarchs, and 20 US presidents.

The oldest person who has ever lived according to Guinness was Jeanne Calment of France, who lived 122 years and 164 days. She died in August 1997. Source: BBC World News. 

The oldest person in Britain, Gladys Hooper, celebrates her 112th birthday in three days, following the death of the 114 year-old Ethel Lang.

As a woman of 40 years younger, I often wonder what it's all about.

Excerpt from ALFIE ~ Songwriters: BACHARACH, BURT / DAVID, HAL

What's it all about, Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live
...

Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind
...

As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie
I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie
...


I'm lucky to live with a caring husband who is ill. I'm in constant pain with my hips and hobble from one room to another. I force myself to go on because of him. I believe in love too. But what will happen when he's gone? Will I go on growing and learning? Each day, I discover something more about me and the world I live in. Perhaps longevity is about growth.
8 Comments
Kristen from The Road to Domestication link
3/31/2015 10:18:11 pm

How amazing to live 122 years! But I sure hope that doesn't happen to me LOL

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Carol Cassara link
3/31/2015 11:29:25 pm

I believe we are to grow... that is our soul's purpose.

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Laurel Regan link
4/1/2015 02:16:08 am

What a full and fascinating life she must have led!

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Scott link
4/1/2015 03:53:29 am

I just developed a taste for sushi in the past year or so. I hope it isn't too late for me - maybe it'll extend my lifespan also!

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Elisabeth link
4/1/2015 04:06:53 am

As a nurse, I am often fascinated by the stories I get to hear from my patients in their 90s... My own dad is in his 80s and he has some of the best stories about how things "used to be". As a little girl I would listen to my grandma's stories...She died at 98 after living in her own home up until a few days before she died.

I've always thought they should combine day cares with elder care day facilities... let them pass on their stories to the little ones and give them a wider view of the world!

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Payal Agarwal link
4/1/2015 07:33:54 am

Interesting post. Age is just a number. I believe, it's more about growth.

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Corinne Rodrigues link
4/1/2015 08:22:08 pm

Just the other day, the oldest known Indian women died at 112, Francene. Longevity is part of my genes and I always wonder how I'll fare in my 'old age'. My parents, now approaching their '90s, seem to live more hectic lives than I do! :)

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Suzy link
4/2/2015 08:35:10 am

Very thought provoking question. I believe (and this is my belief only) that we all come to serve a purpose and perhaps when that is completed it is time to return back to our real home in the sky. Love comes to us in many ways yet we seem to define love as romantic. Best not to worry about what could happen, now is the moment to live.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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