Living to 89

So, my grandfather is turning 89 in a few weeks. 89! Can you imagine being 89! It's really an amazing accomplishment and he has a number of great grandchildren to prove it. Amazing. From his generation, he wouldn't have imagined turning 70, let along 89. I remember the day, when I was a teenager, that he had open heart surgery. He had been a heavy cigar smoker and a heavy man when he was younger, and he was very worried that day. He waved to us down the hallway and I had that lump in my throat that we all get when we don't want to cry, but know the tears are coming. And come they did. And here I am 20 something years later, wishing him congratulations on the phone on the birth of another great grandson!
So, what has helped him to make it to 89? Good genes, I guess. And in his later years, he did start to try to have a healthier lifestyle. I guess some of us are just lucky and some aren't. It is amazing to look at those who are so much older and to wonder what has kept them alive. We all hope that if we don't smoke and drink, don't eat unhealthy and try to excercise, that we will live long. But, then you speak with these older people in my grandfather's home...and you start to wonder....Anyway, healthy living certainly can't hurt!
Enjoy the loved ones in your life...and let's hope that we all make it to 89.