“Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay live. That is why we put these stories in each other’s memories.” —Barry Lopez, an American author and essayist.
It’s true.
With Christmas celebrations fresh in our minds, I think we know. Nothing compares with family dinners or Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) that are rich with stories, laughter, and memories. (That includes the celebrations turned disasters!) My grandmas are both in their 90s. Their lives are so rich with story. And their hearts are so full of wisdom.
I wanted to pause today to tell you 7 lessons they’ve taught me for living a life that’s rich with story.
1. Make relationships your top priority.
Never put money first in your life. Put people there. Cherish your family. Treat others with the kindness you offer your family. Know your neighbors. Invite them for cake. Give their kids special treats.
2. Eat dinner as a family.
Life is busy. It’s always going to be. But the greatest memories my grandmas have of their homes always centered around the table. Not the tv. Not on different schedules. They weren’t at the diner or cafe. It was family and story all together every night.
3. Listen.
People always say the sad words “I wish I had asked…” when a loved one is gone. Live so that when someone passes away, you can say, “I remember when…”.
4. Eat like you want your body to last 100 years.
My grandmas say it’s the only thing keeping their MINDS going for almost 100 years, too.
5. Never stop picking yourself up and taking another step forward.
My 94-year-old grandma is incredibly mobile. She goes on long walks every day. “If I decide to take a break,” she told me, “my legs won’t be able to start again. I’ll never be able to walk. That’s why I keep walking. Every day.”
6. Do challenging things just for you.
One of my grandmas gave up scuba diving in her 80s. She still tells me about her own visits to Germany years ago. She felt like a rich life was one where you got out and tried new things and challenged yourself. As a result, she had friends everywhere she went. She connected with people and understood them. She felt like her life was more than being a stay-at-home mom or a wife. She was also her own self.
7. You have to choose happiness.
Happiness isn’t a token that some people get and some people don’t. We can all carry the token. We have to make a deliberate effort to get up in the morning and see the good stuff. The depression. The war (WWII). My grandmas have lived through so many good times and so many hard times in their personal lives and our world. But at the end of the day? They choose to smile.
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