Keep going, Ramona. At 82, I, too, have cranky days, but mostly, I keep chugging on. At the moment I'm in the midst of a cold, coughing like I haven't coughed since I was 10 and fighting pneumonia (I don't have pneumonia, I checked with the doctor yesterday, but my cough is serious enough that she prescribed a tapering dose of prednisone for me!). But still I keep going. Doing a few errands. Trying to get some sewing done. Cooking a little. Waiting for the cough to subside enough that I can be among people again.
You remind me of my mother who we all described as “spicey”. I believe she would have lived to a 100, if it weren’t for her advanced COPD and diminished lung capacity. She did make it to 83 despite having smoked since she was 16.
Here’s to you living to 100, and beyond! Here’s to you living fully!
Thanks for your words on aging. I fully agree with all you said.
My mother lived to be just short of celebrating her 104th birthday. Her stubborn, “I’ll do it my way” got her there. She was never unwell. I aspire to live well as long as I can too. I’m not quite 81, but I don’t feel it.
Merry Christmas. You’re a light in this dark world. 🎄
Hey Mona! I'm one of those folks who think you're pretty darn special, so please don't dismiss us tooooo hard.
My grandfather on my dad's side, whose great great uncle signed the Declaration of Independence, lived to be a hundred and could not, would not, believe it for a minute! He raised his bushy white eyebrows under his full head of hair and looked at us like we were crazy when he got his letter from George W to commemorate 1903-2003. After my grandmother passed he would wander the carpeted halls of his assisted living home to find a warmer place to sleep, sometimes welcomed and sometimes not, just like the rest of the world.
I’m almost 77. At my age, my grandmother Grace Kelly (the OG as I like to think of her) buried her husband of 52 years, and, having never worked outside their home since marriage, found a job at her local drug store. It was on the edge of the Northwestern campus. The student part-time employees loved her and she made a whole new group of friends. She retired at 92 when the business was bought by a chain. She weathered worsening arthritis and other health challenges, but was at the counter selling candy and condoms till she was laid off. She had a sharp wit, suffered no fools, and loved embarrassing her sons telling stories about selling condoms to college boys. (She was a devout Catholic and went to daily Mass.) The two of you would have gotten along splendidly. You both are my role models for being an elder.
Great piece, Ramona! You and I seem to be living similar lives. Still driving (I turn 88 the first week in January,2026). Mind still works most of the time, as long as I don't get too caught up in all the nonsense going on these days. Still giving private voice lessons, the highlight of my life! 20 books to my credit, though I haven't written anything very recently. I need to address that! I love your column! Keep being YOU, and keep writing!
Brava, Ramona! I’m only 70 and my genetic background suggests I’ll live to be at least 90. If we could all be as limber and sharp as Dick Van Dyke, who just turned 100, that would be excellent. Unfortunately, both my parents died of dementia (and complications of a stroke with my father), my father at 88, my mother at 95. You continue to amaze me with your clear and sharp posts. And living independently, which I hope to do for a very long time.
Good for you, Ramona! I am a mere 77 and hope to keep going for a good long time yet (and in good health, please!). My mom lived to 92; Dad died weeks shy of 102.
Just a great, invaluable piece, Ramona.
I read it twice.
Thank you!
Keep going, Ramona. At 82, I, too, have cranky days, but mostly, I keep chugging on. At the moment I'm in the midst of a cold, coughing like I haven't coughed since I was 10 and fighting pneumonia (I don't have pneumonia, I checked with the doctor yesterday, but my cough is serious enough that she prescribed a tapering dose of prednisone for me!). But still I keep going. Doing a few errands. Trying to get some sewing done. Cooking a little. Waiting for the cough to subside enough that I can be among people again.
Good on you!
You remind me of my mother who we all described as “spicey”. I believe she would have lived to a 100, if it weren’t for her advanced COPD and diminished lung capacity. She did make it to 83 despite having smoked since she was 16.
Thanks for being real and telling it like it is.
I hope to reach your age and still be writing!
Writing may well be the best medicine!
Here’s to you living to 100, and beyond! Here’s to you living fully!
Thanks for your words on aging. I fully agree with all you said.
My mother lived to be just short of celebrating her 104th birthday. Her stubborn, “I’ll do it my way” got her there. She was never unwell. I aspire to live well as long as I can too. I’m not quite 81, but I don’t feel it.
Merry Christmas. You’re a light in this dark world. 🎄
Keep going! 🖖💕
Hey Mona! I'm one of those folks who think you're pretty darn special, so please don't dismiss us tooooo hard.
My grandfather on my dad's side, whose great great uncle signed the Declaration of Independence, lived to be a hundred and could not, would not, believe it for a minute! He raised his bushy white eyebrows under his full head of hair and looked at us like we were crazy when he got his letter from George W to commemorate 1903-2003. After my grandmother passed he would wander the carpeted halls of his assisted living home to find a warmer place to sleep, sometimes welcomed and sometimes not, just like the rest of the world.
I hope today's chemo treats you gently. ~J
Thank you, Janice. Love the story about your grandfather. He did it his way! ❤️
I’m almost 77. At my age, my grandmother Grace Kelly (the OG as I like to think of her) buried her husband of 52 years, and, having never worked outside their home since marriage, found a job at her local drug store. It was on the edge of the Northwestern campus. The student part-time employees loved her and she made a whole new group of friends. She retired at 92 when the business was bought by a chain. She weathered worsening arthritis and other health challenges, but was at the counter selling candy and condoms till she was laid off. She had a sharp wit, suffered no fools, and loved embarrassing her sons telling stories about selling condoms to college boys. (She was a devout Catholic and went to daily Mass.) The two of you would have gotten along splendidly. You both are my role models for being an elder.
Great story about OG, Jill. I would have loved her! 💕
Great piece, Ramona! You and I seem to be living similar lives. Still driving (I turn 88 the first week in January,2026). Mind still works most of the time, as long as I don't get too caught up in all the nonsense going on these days. Still giving private voice lessons, the highlight of my life! 20 books to my credit, though I haven't written anything very recently. I need to address that! I love your column! Keep being YOU, and keep writing!
Glad to see you're still doing it your way, Susan. You must know you're one of my favorite role models. Backatcha with that last sentence! ❤️
Keep writing, and I'll keep reading. Great post, Ramona.
Nicely said, Ramona
Great post.
Brava, Ramona! I’m only 70 and my genetic background suggests I’ll live to be at least 90. If we could all be as limber and sharp as Dick Van Dyke, who just turned 100, that would be excellent. Unfortunately, both my parents died of dementia (and complications of a stroke with my father), my father at 88, my mother at 95. You continue to amaze me with your clear and sharp posts. And living independently, which I hope to do for a very long time.
I love that Dick Van Dyke is 100 and still dancing! He makes me want to move more, though I've always been a terrible dancer
If anything I write here inspires anyone to be stubborn enough to happily keep going, I couldn't be happier. ❤️
💗🤗💗
Good for you, Ramona! I am a mere 77 and hope to keep going for a good long time yet (and in good health, please!). My mom lived to 92; Dad died weeks shy of 102.