Lovely old folks
Quite often here on the island we get a lot of senior citizens visiting. I always call them the silver fleet, because you see a whole stampede of gray hair passing by. Most of them visit by cruise ship, a place where everything for them is taken care of. Once they step off the ship, it looks a bit like they are released in the great wide world again. Some of them are pushing wheelchairs, some of them are holding to each other for dear life, just to take a couple steps. They have all of the time in the world, and often it looks like they also have all the time in the world for each other.
A while back I was observing one of these silver couples. It was on a beach where the water was perfectly calm. The elderly man was supporting the elderly lady to step into the water. It took forever, and it also looked a bit like a struggle because stepping into the water was so difficult. But once in the water, it seemed like all the joints relaxed and the flow of the water took over. The water gave them so much flexibility and both their faces lighted up entirely. There was no more resistance, and they seemed fully relaxed. After the swim they sat on some beach chairs and shared a cup of coffee together. They did not say a word while sharing the coffee, but they their faces said it all. They were enjoying to the max. It was beautiful to see
Our generations are becoming older and older. And quite often growing older is not as peachy as everybody thinks of course. Bodies starts to fail, and also the passing of friends and family around is not as easy we tend to think. Also if we look at what this is doing to the medical industry this is going to be a major issue. In Holland is always said that you make more than half of your medical bills in the last 2 years of your life. I don't have any data for this, but I instantly believe it. I remember from working there that the majority of our patients were 80+ years old.
Here in Sint Martin I hardly find any 80+ year citizens. Most of them do not make it until that age. It's not because of the healthcare is bad, but the awareness of preventative taking care of your body is not really a topic here. And with this I mean balanced food, proper exercise, and going for check ups regularly. It's scary to see how many people have diabetes here already at a young age. Diabetes tends to take 10 years of a life if not treated proper.
I talk about this a lot with my patients, and actually with all people around me. But old habits die hard, as we all know. And just this is such a pity; I would love to see more of those golden oldies couples. Just to walk by and to mention that they look so cute together, or just give them a smile and a 'Good Afternoon'. We should take care of our golden oldies. Because one day, we ourselves will be the ones stepping into the sea enjoying the water, with a silent cup of coffee afterwards.
May be life is really beautiful when you are running out of time.
Who knows? Arent we all running out of time in the end? I hope by the time I reach this age I can still enjoy as much as I am enjoying now :)
Poeh, I first thought you were referring to their credit cards with "silver fleet". That was at least how I felt when we took a cruise. And sometimes we had to pay $20 for a cab drive of 5 minutes and about 3 km. As we are still young we just went walking, hand in hand of course.
Anyways I hope to get as old as those 2 from your story. And I would be happy to pay the money for the cab.
Let's try as of today to live my life a bit healthier. After sitting all day long, That is the wise lesson I just learned again.
Hahahaha Ive never been on a cruise before, but I live close to a cruise ship terminal, and yes... I also see it is a really expensive joke!! Crazy how much money is involved in those ships..
Yeah I also hope to grow old in that kind of way as I am living now still :)
(true...maybe we need to live a bit healthier mennnnnn. Takes water in stead of sprite
I am there already. The golden years. There is something to be said about enjoying every moment of every day because you don't know when that time will end.
I think start enjoying is something that should be done already way before 3x20 ;)
But its true, appreciating and enjoying all what life has to offer us is essential
Dit jaar wandel ik binnen in de 3X20 groep. Maar voor mij geen grijze of zilvere haren... Ik scheer gewoon alles af, lekker glad.
Lekker goedkoop, geen dure champoo of hairconditioner meer, en ook geen kapper die ik moet betalen...
LOL....
hehehehe veel mensen zien er daardoor overigens ook echt een stuk jonger uit...dan denk ik wel eens..had het eerder gedaan joh ;)
dus geen wassen en watergolven voor jou :D
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