Grandma

There might be lessening of physical ability, sagging breasts, crows feet, forgetfulness and weakening eyesight to sigh about but there are also many blessings that come with age. Being a grandparent is one of those. I am eagerly anticipating welcoming another granddaughter into the world sometime in November. Now I am enjoying watching my son and his girlfriend prepare for this blissful event. I am thrilled to be a grandparent and my heart sings when I hear my granddaughter yell "grandma". I can not fathom that there are women out there who dread that word because it might make them look old. I welcome it with open arms and a heart filled with anticipation and excitement. I would not miss one second of grandmotherhood.

I am healthy and joyfilled, I can climb to the top of Mt. Wilson, I can run 10 miles, I feel great and look wonderful. I am a grandma.

Mt Wilson

Yesterday, my sister, Carol and I hiked up to the top of Mt. Wilson. It's a climb of over 5,000 feet in 7 1/2 miles. It was hot and dusty and difficult. At one point I asked her when we would stop being compelled to do these hard physical feats. Her answer was short and simple: "when we're dead."

I believe she's right. I will be 60 in three years and feel I have many more difficult, challenging miles to conquer. Hurray for the wisdom that comes with aging.

Carol

Now I have two siblings who are on adventures for charity! My sister, Carol, soon to be 50, has just kicked off her 1000 mile journey to bring awareness to the plight of the women of the Congo. Yes, she is walking the 1000 miles before the end of the year. Hurray for her for dedicating her time to a very worthy cause and for showing us that the limits we think of in regard to aging can be overcome. Check out her vision and help if you can.
As the older sister, it makes me think I should be doing something too...

Jeff

My brother is at it again. In his quest to raise awareness for the need of fresh drinking water around the globe he is racing today. Since he can find no one to race him, he is racing the sun. On Oahu, Hawaii he is racing around the island, running, biking and paddleboarding. The idea is to get around before the sun sets. He is amazing. At 50 years old he laughs in the face of age limits. Check out what he's doing and donate if you can. http://www.kozhawaii.com/

Change

Please tell me someone else thrives on change! It seems the older I get the more I want change. Any kind, something as simple as changing the furniture around in my living room, cutting my hair, learning a new way to do something. Maybe I am scared of getting stuck in a rut. It is actually a wonderful thing. I am always in a flux, a change mode, a "who knows what's next" mood. Life can be as exciting or boring as we make it. I want to experience every drop of passion, excitement and awe that I can as I move into these next years. We all know aging is not for sissies so why act like one? I wish you bliss and passion and adventures every day of your life, no matter how old you are!

Walk for Water

This Monday I am doing an 8 mile beach walk. Big deal, right? Well, not really the distance, for someone who has danced 6 days a week and run marathons. Of course that was a few years ago. I will be walking with my sister Carol and brother Jeff. We are trying to raise awareness about the need for fresh drinking water globally. Check out Jeff's website and do what you can! www.kozhawaii.com

Life

Life is changing all the time. It is flying by while most of us stand in front of the mirror bemoaning what life has done to our faces and our bodies. What a disservice we do to ourselves and women everywhere when we ourselves don't honor aging. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't always strive to look and feel our best. Age carries a beauty of its own and if we can't see it no one else will either. So let's stop obsessing and crying about wrinkles and weight gain, instead lets go outside and make more friends, read more books, have more adventures, be silly, laugh, love,and experience everything we can. Embrace your age and your grey hairs. In other words love yourself.

Really want to change?

If you are trully interested in making a positive change in your life, living longer more vibrantly with purpose and grace and health, read this book by John Robbins, Healthy at 100. Forget liposuction, botox, face lifts and any other unnatural thing this society can manufacture to give the false hope of not aging. It's
time to get real and make a change.......

Longer Life

Explorer and author Dan Buettner has discovered the secret to a longer life. Finding ways to slow our aging is not the answer. We need to change our lifestyle. He has researched cultures around the world to see why others age differently than we do and the possible reasons for this. He found that a mostly PLANT BASED diet, natural exercise, stress management and the way we connect with each other play a huge part. Check out this story about Blue Zones: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-secret-to-a-long-life.html

Falling apart?

Ever feel like your body is falling apart? This can happen at any age but when you're over 50 it really hits home. I've been training for a half marathon later this month and have had a sore knee for over a week. I don't think I'll make the race. I was running it to raise money and awareness for the Blue Planet Run Foundation so it will be a big deal if I can't make it. I really shouldn't complain. My body has allowed me to do many things including dance and run 20 marathons. Is it telling me it's time to rest? No, I hope not, because my mind hasn't caught up with that idea yet. I am grateful for all the things I have done and look forward to the things I will do in the future.