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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

How To Age GRACE-fully

I have big shoes to fill. Metaphorically, of course.
Have no fear, my feet are fairly normal sized.

My mother, GRACE, aged beautifully.

In her later years, her wide grin and laughter would fill a room with sunshine. 

Her wisdom was etched in each smile and worry line. 

Her arms were amazing. Where mine now look like two birds' wings flapping in the wind, hers were firm and and shapely.

Her legs were even better. Always. At eighteen, or at eighty, they were one of her most attractive features. Betty Grable legs, my dad always said. Mine are kind of knock-kneed, and yes, a little saggy and dimpled. 


She dressed appropriately, comfortably, and impeccably. 

But it's not her physical attributes that contributed to her aging GRACE-fully.

My mom was beautiful on the inside, as well.  Always a life-long learner, she never stopped growing intellectually.  

She was always reading, usually a historical biography  but sometimes a trashy romance novel. She kept her mind, her hands, and her body active with crossword puzzles, book clubs, crocheting, and walking.

She kept adding to her every growing circle of friends.

Her biggest fear in aging, was being a burden to her children. She worried that she would some how become incapacitated in one way or another, and become dependent on someone.

She treasured her independence. 

But I know after my dad passed, she missed a loving companion, and especially the camaraderie of a family.

And her family was the most important thing to her. She fiercely loved her children, sometimes to a fault.

Her extended family, as well. She had beloved grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. And nieces and nephews. And cousins. And friends. Lots of friends!

To grow old as GRACE-fully and as lovingly as my mother did, would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

And one that I truly hope I live up to.

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Dear Readers,
I am lucky to belong to an amazing Facebook group called Generation Fabulous, GenFab, or #GenFab, for short. And this week, I'm participating in this group's fifth blog hop on aging gracefully. Please read some of the heartfelt stories that they've shared!

And I'd love to hear your thoughts on aging gracefully in the comment section below!


17 comments:

  1. You're mom sound like a wonderful person. I'm sorry that she lost her husband, but she sounds very socially engaged. Good for her. Not all older adults work to form new friendships. Some think it's too much trouble. What a blessing to have her in your life. Thanks for giving us a glimpse into her fine character.

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  2. What a beautiful woman and a wonderful role model!

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  3. Your mom sounds like a beautiful woman, both inside and out. I loved this article, and reading about her and how much she means to you. What a wonderful tribute to her; to write about her aging gracefully is the best of all things. Beautiful.

    Best~
    Cathy Chester
    P.S. On another note, how do you get "sponsored" to attend Fashion Shows and other such fun events as you did? I live near Paramus and could have met you there!

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    1. Thank you so much Cathy. This time of year I think of her often, and she was the first person I thought of when I heard the topic for this month's #genfab stories. She welcomed aging and though she probably felt the passing of time, you would have never known it.

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    2. Almost forgot! I belong to the Everywhere Society, who sponsor most of my Macy's events. I'll PM you the information if you're interested.
      I also belong to an amazing group of CT Bloggers who meet regularly to review products and they have been a wealth of information.

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  4. What a wonderful tribute to a remarkable role model. We were blessed with good moms and you must miss her dearly.

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    1. Thanks Pat. It seems I miss her more with each passing year, but we were lucky to have such wonderful women to support us.

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  5. So much love in these words, your heart talking about a life so precious. What a blessing, she sounds as tho she was named quite perfectly.

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  6. What a wonderful role model you had. Sounds like she was physically, mentally, and emotionally fit into her old age - who could do better?

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    1. Thank you, yes, a wonderful role model for me to emulate. Wish me luck!

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  7. Betty Grable legs - that is a high standard for aging! Her inner beauty, though, would have shone through her life regardless, though. What a blessing she must have been to those around her.

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  8. This is so sweet, such a beautiful tribute to your mom. She sounds like a truly lovely woman, who did indeed age gracefully inside and out. Thank you for warming my heart with this.

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    1. Thank you Lisa. I think it warmed my heart just as much to hear your kind words!

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