Thanks FLT. We're a long lived family. My Italian Dad was born of wholly long-lived Italian parents. Mum is all English, and all her family outlived the Italians. Dad went in his mid-80s, so that's probably where I'm headed if my slightly reckless life doesn't take me before then. I do feel hugely sorry for families where they are genetically predisposed to not make the 3 Score and 10 mark. 63 for your Mum, is no age, in the modern world. Some people die very early, in accidents or of disease, occasionally so tragically it twists the guts to think about it. And some people die in bed, having had a peaceful end to an experience called life. That's all we can hope for in the end.
That's the thing, you just never know, do you? I don't hold out much hope as my dad went at 60 and his dad earlier even than that. But then the female side of my family tree is basically immortal, so hopefully that side of the gene pool shines through (until I'm ready to go anyhow!) That's kind of why I despair a little at the obsessive gym bunnies and seed eaters - yes, you *might* live 5 or even 10 years longer than me, but more often than not they'll be uncomfortable years where you rather wish you'd popped off a little earlier. I doubt anyone lies on their death bed remembering a good work-out over a good shag!
Reminds me of a very old gag. A journalist goes to meet the oldest man in the world. He asks how the guy has lived so long. "Well, I start every morning with a five mile run and a quick cold shower. Then I eat only raw vegertables, no meat, I don't smoke or drink. I've never had sex with a woman and I'm always in bed by nine o'clock. And tomorrow I'm celebrating my 121st birthday" "How?" says the journalist.
I don't really worry about longevity; my time will be what it is. What I wouldn't want is for my time to cause excessive grief for my loved ones. By that I simply mean that I would hate to have something either drawn out or of a roller coaster nature that drags them through the mill.
To be honest that pretty well sums up anyone's life expectancy and expectations. I too would hate to be a burden to my family.....So I enjoy what I can while I can.........The future is the future..........
The only positive thing I can think of regarding death is at least my bloody leg wont hurt anymore. As for being a burden my daughters are on strict instructions to poison me should they ever contemplate putting me in one of those dreadful care homes. I know that if they did put me in a care home I'd have fights with the staff every bloody day and would be thrown out after a week. As I am a selfish old bugger I just hope the very lovely Mrs Godders outlives me.
My parents died in their 60s and so did a few grandparents. I'm hoping that my recent op has nipped that tendency to die early in the bud, though doubt I will make very old bones. That is why I've retired...not wasting the years I have left on work!! I am not an adventurous person, but I intend to say yes to any invitations to travel. Might as well go 3 or 4 times in one year rather than save money for trips I can never take. 3 Holidays this year already in planning stage...though not looking forward to the cost of that travel insurance
My Dad dropped dead of a massive heart attack at the age of 65. He literally died while climbing the stairs, and by good fortune my brother and I were both visiting at the time and were able to help our mother through the following days. She never stopped resenting all the years of happy retirement together that they had planned, and which she couldn't let herself enjoy. She passed away last year at the age of 91, having undergone a long, slow, decline through Alzheimer's over the last 5 years. Her last couple of years were spent almost permanently bed bound, not recognising any of her family, in a constant state of anxiety and fear, when she wasn't being sedated. I needn't say which of my parents' death I would prefer my own to resemble.
Bloody hell, this is a cheerful thread. I plan on living til im 100, just to get the value ozt of my pension.
If you live until you're 100 there's a good chance by then we'll have the technology and medicine to keep you alive until 150-200, if not longer, especially if those weird companies cropping up all over the place manage to merge our brains with computers. Who knows what will happen with pensions?!
