It's Been a Lovely Ride

Sometimes I ponder about just how long I can keep up my active lifestyle; and inevitably my thoughts turn to just how long I can stick around before my used up and abused body decides it has had enough. Today I learned about the world's oldest person, the only person still alive born in the 1800's. Quite amazing to think of someone who has experienced three centuries. Emma Moreno, of Vercelli, Italy was born in 1899, and is pushing 118 years of a good long life. I'm encouraged to hear her words of advice as to her longevity: “I eat two eggs a day, and that’s it. And cookies." I, too, eat more than my share of eggs, but I was glad that she mentioned cookies. The lesson I take from Emma and others is that systematic under-eating is the essential key to longevity, more than perhaps any other factor. Eat less and live longer. If I am blessed enough to live as long as Emma, I may add a few items to her list - whiskey, smiles, singing, and running, to wit. No matter, however long it lasts, it has been a lovely ride, so far. Think I'll go eat a cookie to celebrate, and maybe extend my life a bit.

The secret of life
Is enjoying the passage of time.
Any fool can do it,
There ain't nothing to it.
Nobody knows how we got
To the top of the hill.
But since we're on our way down,
We might as well enjoy the ride.

The secret of love
Is in opening up your heart.
It's okay to feel afraid,
But don't let that stand in your way.
'Cause anyone knows
That love is the only road.
And since we're only here for a while,
Might as well show some style.
Give us a smile.

Isn't it a lovely ride?
Sliding down, gliding down,
Try not to try too hard,
It's just a lovely ride.

Now the thing about time
Is that time isn't really real.
It's just your point of view,
How does it feel for you?
Einstein said he
Could never understand it all.
Planets spinning through space,
The smile upon your face,
Welcome to the human race.

Some kind of lovely ride.
I'll be sliding down,
I'll be gliding down.
Try not to try too hard,
It's just a lovely ride.
Isn't it a lovely ride?
Sliding down, gliding down,
Try not to try too hard,
It's just a lovely ride.
The secret of life
Is enjoying the passage of time.
Lyrics by JAMES TAYLOR