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!