Excerpt from Daily Cures, Wisdom for healthy Aging by Connie Mason Michaelis
Stanley and Pat are new friends. We met them in the complex where we winter in Phoenix. Stan, at 95, and Pat (she doesn’t tell her age) are undeniably inspirational. Stan is an accomplished businessman who combined his interest in music to build and operate a well-known Supper Club, La Chansonett, in New York City in the ’60s. Stan, a self-taught pianist, performed in his club and continues his daily practice routine today. Stanley and Pat are the epitome of superagers who continue to live active, vibrant lives and inspire many others.
My Dedication to Stan's story is based on a poignant lesson he taught me. He shared that he had been through a rough time with a health issue that involved a lengthy hospital stay and many doctor visits. He admitted that he almost did not make it. The fact is he not only survived this catastrophic health event but is recovering magnificently. Here comes the punch line. One of his doctors told him that he should not ask for so much improvement because, after all, “You’ve lived a good life!” Stanley did not take that well, he said, and I quote, “Bullsh*t---Don’t write me off because you think I should be grateful that I’ve already had a good life!” Lesson learned---our life is not like a commodity that is limited because we've used up our allotment of good days. It is not like we’re dishing out ice cream, and the container is empty, and you don’t get any more. He reminded me that the expression, “You’ve had a good life,” should not be a switch to turn off the future. He utterly rejected that doctor’s words and is actively pursuing more of the good stuff: more exercise, more travel, more friends, more daily piano playing, and yes more ice cream!! Thank you, Stanley, for helping me understand the power of words, and we can always pursue more of the good life!
ment because, after all, “You’ve lived a good life!” Stanley did not take that well, he said, and I quote, “Bullsh*t---Don’t write me off because you think I should be grateful that I’ve already had a good life!” Lesson learned---our life is not like a commodity that is limited because w’ve used up our allotment of good days. It is not like we’re dishing out ice cream, and the container is empty, and you don’t get any more. He reminded me that the expression, “You’ve had a good life,” should not be a switch to turn off the future. He utterly rejected that doctor’s words and is actively pursuing more of the good stuff: more exercise, more travel, more friends, more daily piano playing, and yes more ice cream!! Thank you, Stanley, for helping me understand the power of words, and we can always pursue more of the good life!
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