Fortune Cookies…Without messages, quotes, phrases, or amusing sayings, a “Fortune Cookie” would just be….any other cookie. Fortune cookie sayings were originally based on bible verses and proverbs, later English versions of “Confucius Teaching” were introduced. A recent fortune cookie message read, “Listen to the advice of an Octogenarian.” What is this message saying to me? Hmmm.. Octogenarian? An Octogenarian is a person whose age is in the eighties. My mother is an Octogenarian, but recently has acquired the ‘old age curse” of dementia along with many of my other friend’s parents. Recently, I led a hike for two east coast octogenarians, who looked 10-15 years younger than their chronological ages. Why do certain people remain active, vibrant, and healthy, while others are in nursing homes with a poor quality of life? According to my personal research on this subject of aging, 50% of all people above the age of 80 have memory related diseases, which end up being fatal.
After I had presented the rules and introductions to my older visitors, I wondered how these two octogenarian hikers were going to fare on the hike, equivalent to climbing a 17 story building. As we began our climb, I decided these visitors were very fit. The man’s father was still skiing at age 90 and only stopped because no one was able to drive him to the ski slopes. If I were rich and famous, I would send a special limo SUV to take him to his ski area... just my way to pay it forward.. I asked my east coast hiker, “What is your secret to your long, healthy life?” He quickly replied, “Gigi, I followed the rules. You see, I contracted diabetes at age 60, so my doctor gave me a list of rules to follow. Change your diet and exercise. I followed the rules and here I am hiking to the top of a mesa. My friends did not, and they are all dead.” This statement halted me in my tracks. Note to self….Listen to the advice of an octogenarian…and…Play by the rules…Yikes! Later in the day, I led another older gentleman from Florida and he told me his mother was still living and her mind was sharp. I asked him, “What is her secret?”
He told me, “Whiskey and Coke.” Hmmm…
He told me, “Whiskey and Coke.” Hmmm…
I discovered another octogenarian blogger by the name of Old Running Fox while conducting my aging research. This remarkable runner is still running marathons at eighty. During the Boston Marathon bombing, I noticed an older gentleman, tragically falling at the finish line after the bomb blew up. I am sure most of you saw this in real time, I certainly did. My heart was broken for this man and I don’t know if he made it to cross the finish line. Later, I learned he was 78 years old and I would bet you his goal was to run the marathon and break his personal record. My goal is to learn from as many older people as I can and pass it on….carry on...and LISTEN!
Every day on my journey from Fritch to Alibates National Monument, I wonder, “Who will I meet and what unsolicited advice will I be privileged to receive?” Learning something new every day, both about nature or about people, is exciting and sustains me…Today was international day, as I met visitors from Germany, China, and Austria, all in the same day. It’s like traveling around the world, really, learning about cultures and sharing a few moments with folks I might not ever see again. Life is like a box of chocolates as a park ranger, you never know what you’re gonna get…Might be someone from Oregon, Poland, or Dallas, Tx…or a visit from a rattlesnake!
Great advice from an octogenarian hiker…“Who says sporty, active, cute, energetic, and octogenarian, don’t go together. You don’t stop hiking because you get old; you get old because you stop hiking.” Dylan Thomas wrote, “Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at the close of day. Rage, Rage, against the light….” Ok Dylan... I’m raging...
Happy Trails...403 clear...
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