My Mother's Healthy Habits

Looking back eight years today, to October 30, 2016, the day my mother left us, after a very brief illness (one weekend) ... at the ripe age of 97. 

Thinking about my mother's long life, I have been reflecting on some of her habits - her "rules of life" - though she didn't call them that. Perhaps I should put more effort into emulating some of them. They led to her good health - and happiness - to the end. 

Here are some that stand out in my mind:

1. "Drink 8 glasses of water a day" was part of her regular routine. According to doctors in the nursing home, this habit definitely enhanced her health. 
2. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," was another of her rules for healthy living. When she could no longer bite down on a crunchy apple, she switched to apple sauce! I recently read that apples are one of the best fruits to lower high blood sugar.
3. She tried to walk 10,000 steps a day - in a nearby mall - or back and forth in the hall of her apartment building, during inclement weather.

She also cultivated attitudes that gave her a sense of peace:

1. "Life is a constant change," she'd often say. Did reminding herself of this make changes easier to accept?
2. She rarely talked about the past. I can't remember her ever saying how much better life USED TO be. Instead, she faced each day with enthusiasm about what the day had in store.
3. She enjoyed learning new things and was up for challenges - gathering friends together for in her apartment for games of scrabble; later, in the nursing home never missing a game of BINGO.
4. "One day at a time" was a mantra she'd often repeat - when tempted to worry.
5. Going to church was always an important part of her life. Her strong Christian faith and prayers became part of the fabric of her everyday. Her father (who died when she was 2) had been the church choir master. Although she had no memories of him, she inherited his love of music. Even in her latter years in the nursing home, she looked forward to music programs and worship services.  Singing hymns and participating in sing-alongs filled her with optimism and joy.