Did you imagine for a while that you could be, among friends, entertained by a 98 old lady, planning to celebrate her hundredth anniversary? and do you know that her capacity to totally attract attention became a habit in all social occasions since her young years? and that her witty ways, mixing facts with fantasies confuse others, leaving them unable to understand, and surprise them with the reverse of what they expect, so they continue listening, interacting and laughing?
Lady Eva was born in Sarajevo 1910 for Austrian parents who educated her with style and class about manners and culture developing her musical and sportive talents, so ballet and classic dancing was her way out to express her vitality and creativity till silent movie attracted her to act after she was chosen Miss Austria at her sixteen’s, so she moved to Hollywood then Berlin, but didn’t want to compromise her values to gain wealth, fame and glory.
Since then, nothing is outstanding in her life, nervous breakdown as her lover abandoned her when she was seriously ill, a stable marriage for fifty years, whose details she doesn’t recall anymore, till her husband died, and she used part of his pension to pay for a sitter who takes care and lives harmoniously with her for ten years now. Eva says that her parents died under at their house bombed during the Second World War.
I was curious how could Eva maintain this health, vitality, and charming spirit at this age? Lady Eva apart from her privileged upbringing enjoys an independent confident character and a spontaneous genuinity; she knows exactly how to express her opinions and wishes with acceptable ways. Hardly, you can find just a single expression of her that goes against style, good taste, elegance, respect, and kindness.
Maybe it was her experience with silent movie that taught her to express herself with gestures that we can but admire. Nevertheless it was her moderation in food and drink habits, regular muscular exercise, whenever she could, and congenital factors that helped her keep her vitality during what we consider senility age.
Satisfying my curiosity with a serious look, she told that her merry spirit hides the bitter fact, hence I came to understand the reason why she mixed facts and fiction; brilliantly attracting attention and laughter, after her beauty, youth and fame faded away. She is saying everything with no one understanding, turning her suffering into bedazzling art.
Eva’s age is not extraordinary in her country, the healthy environment, the social awareness and insurance, the straight forward ways, the guaranteed civil rights, the law enforcement, and the abundant quality security, services and goods give space for citizen to age with energy. After late retirement they can still exercise and enjoy tourism and cultural events with active social life at least with their age group. They do care about their health, looks and outfits.
So with their age, they are still attractive with little social and health burdens upon their society, especially with availability of suitable old age homes. Then senility becomes a phase of relaxation and rewarding after a productive life, not a stage to endure troubles, marginalization, and deterioration waiting for death.
The question is, can even a few of us enjoy senility with vitality and happiness till a hundred years of age? and what can we do to turn the dream , one day, to reality?
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