Who Wants To Be 80?

I'm still too shaken by the mere idea of death. I need to become more at peace with the concept.

Until then, I just want to maintain some semblance of health.

 

Junior, I can’t imagine feeling like you do. I’ve been self aware since Jan. 1, 1979, the day my death became real and no longer theoretical. I felt it as I changed.

 

This had to be posted by a 55- year-old.

 

Can I ask, what happened Jan. 1, 1979?

Don't feel obligated.

 

I would like to live well as long as possible, as I have so many places I want to see, and things to do when I get there.

I've always tried to have an over-arching, outspoken appreciation of life, and usually, I do. As I get older, that realization that you only have one life, and that it's precious, has really stuck with me, and only added urgency to live well, be good, be engaged and be happy in all things. I do not want to be someone who retires, and just sits or lies around all day in an easy chair, with the TV on but not really watching it. Not that I need to be hiking or working out religiously, or anything. I love just sitting and reading a good book, or just sitting and looking at the ocean a lot, and I could do it all day.

Ideally, I will be able to continue to travel for many years, but even if I can't/don't do that, I want to be engaged and interested in things -- anything; could even be little things -- but that's got to happen, as I believe that's what keeps people truly alive and among the living instead of the living dead, so to speak.

Generally speaking, I don't believe in or like the idea of euthanasia, and don't think it should be an option. It's not something I'd absolutely set in stone, though, as it would depend, greatly, on the person, circumstances and conditions involved.

 

I’ve got major longevity on several sides of my family. Two on one side have made it past 101. My grandfather was one of 7. One died at 89. The rest all lived to be 95+. Most of my relatives have lived pretty healthy lives to 85 and beyond, except for a few that died from things like a car accident. So I’ve got a ways to go, I suspect.

 

Neither Billy Joe nor his son Eddy, playing guitar in the back, managed it, but we can all try...

 

I think it's the quality of your life rather than the quantity. Age 75 seems way too young to think that's maybe all the best there is. My parents lived to 88, and 89 and both were quite self sufficient until around age 85. My mother-in-law turns 100 in 8 days, and went for a several days long rafting trip down the Colorado River when she was 75. Like a "shit on the bank and bury it" kind of trip. She's in assisted living now, but only uses a walker, has some memory problems, but mostly good. I just don't want to die alone in my home only to be found after the maggots have set in.

 

My dad is 81 and going strong and all of his siblings (my aunts and uncles) are still alive. I have one aunt still living on my mother's side.

No idea where I will get my genetics but one thing is clear: Bring on the bus. Spending six years on memory care in retrospect is straight out.

 

Agree, somewhat, but 75 seems right for me.

Once you hit 80, it seems, that's when all the hard shit arrives.
I have enough physical issues now, and I won't want to be a burden on my family.
So if I hit 75, that's enough for me. I dread the thought of a wheelchair or a nursing home.

 

Nothing happened. I was watching the NYD parade and the inevitability of my death hit me, as real as the couch 10 yo me was sitting on.

We’re born into the grave, indeed.