98 Years Old And Still In Love

Received this story from Anthony M. (a patient who lives just outside of town) about his 98 year old grandfather's love for his grandmother who passed away some twenty years earlier. Seemed like a perfect tale for Valentine's Day.

First, I wanted to point out that Anthony's grandpa wasn't living in a nursing home, nor with family. He lived on his own, gardening, cooking, reading and doing pottery. Not only that, but at the age of 65, upon retiring, he took up landscape painting. Now, many might think 65 too old to start something new, but he kept it up for the next 33 years, producing hundreds of acrylics of country homes, boats and winter valleys.

Anthony told me that in the summer of 2003 his Grandpa had to be hospitalized because his kidney had failed. He would not be able to return home. Needed 24 hours care in a nursing home. Well, his Grandpa waived his arms in the air and said, "No way!" The next day, after breakfast in bed, he passed away, peacefully.

Alright, here's Anthony's story -- and if this isn't a love story, what is?...

"When my grandfather was 90 or so, he had to have a pacemaker installed. After the surgery my aunt moved in for a week or two to help out (or mainly get in the way).

"Grandpa spent most of his evenings sitting on this hundred year old couch with a quilt stretched across. His hearing was almost gone so TV and radio never interested him. Instead, he was a voracious reader, having every National Geographic since 1955, read front to cover.

"Anyways, the quilt on the couch was ragged and dirty. My aunt immediately removed it and put into storage.

"My grandfather immediately refused to sit on the couch.

"'But that thing is in rags,' protested my Aunt.

"'Doesn't matter,' said my Grandpa, 'Your mother made that, and I'm not sitting on that couch without it.'

So, after a few days, my aunt saw that he was serious. She took the quilt out of storage, gave it a good washing and then said, 'Alright, let's fix it up then.'

"Each day, for the next week, they sewed that quilt back together, patched holes, and made it look brand new. For the entire maintenance period, my Grandpa refused to sit on the couch. It wasn't until the quilt was placed back did he finally return to his favourite spot, with National Geographic in hand.

"The marvel of this, to me, is that Grandma died about 20 years earlier."

Thanks for sharing that story Anthony. Sure beats the regular Hollywood mush. Can't help but feel your grandfather's genuine passion for his wife, for his art and for life, is what kept him thriving to nearly a 100.

Enthusiasm, love and creativity would be the number one selling prescription if we could package it in a bottle.

Yours in health,

Dr. Karlo Mauro, N.D.
http://www.thenaturopath.ca/feelbetter
(519) 739-2402

p.s. On page 2 of my February print newsletter (which should be arriving next week in your mailbox -- if you're an active patient) I talk about the "Before Marriage, After Marriage Syndrome." In fact, just the other week a lady came into the clinic and told me, "Every since I got married, 6 years, ago, I've put on 35 extra pounds."

What a coincidence, as that was exactly what I writing about for the February newsletter...

"I don't know what it is. Some subconscious drive that tells us to look good until we've found our mate. and then says, 'You can just slack off for the rest of your life -- You're all set now!'"

So on page 4 I outline part of my personal abs workout routine that can give you an "organic" six-pack in as little as 15 minutes, three times a week. It can also relieve constipation and get rid of any sluggishness in your gut.

p.p.s. If you aren't on the mailing list for the newsletter, that means you're not a patient, yet. Even if you feel you're in good shape, having a naturopathic check up once a year is a simple preventive for disease and a way to help keep your body running at peak performance. Call (519) 739-2402 to book an initial consultation and we'll make sure you get the February newsletter. Looking forward to helping you.