What Would You Ask a 100 Year Old Woman?

I just read an interesting article written by a college student. The author was reporting on a presentation made by a 101 year old woman to a gerontology class.

It's an interesting article, and I've shared the link above. Back when I was in grad school is when I became interested in gerontology, and actually did my MS thesis interviewing 100 women who I lovingly referred to as "my little old ladies."

But I never got the chance to interview anyone that old.

So I'm just curious, as we're all a bit older than the typical college student, what would we have asked "Dorothy" if we'd had a chance to listen to her?

What would you like to know?

(And by the way, she looks a lot like my Grandma Gertrude, who lived well into her 90s.)

I'm not sure what I would ask...because it depends on the background of the woman. Seriously.

Could I relate to this particular woman: Probably not. I think she is very different culturally from my grandmothers (who we've never met because they both died in China).

But there would be 1 single question I would ask any woman: What is your advice to any woman looking to plan her future these days in order to live her life well?

I knew my partner's mother who lived until she was 93. Last 2 yrs. of her life was minor dementia and health/mobility rapidly declining. I knew her for over 15 years.

This lady is from my area. My SIL reads the Buffalo News from front to back, everyday. I love listening to aged people. Not only are they wise, they have that precious commody: Common Sense. Guess I'd asked someone this old, "What was your proudest moment? What's your biggest regret? Is there anything you wished you had done that you didn't do?" Young people don't seen to understand older folks', IMHO. The elderly push themselves when they don't feel well. Their vision and hearing aren't as sharp as when they were young. Their joints ache. As a young person, I never considered these situations. Guess I'd ask this lady, "Is there anything you'd do differently if you had the chance to go back and do a do-over?

There's a Kenny Chesney song with this line in it: "A 100 years goes faster than you think." Firsthand, I know 50 years goes faster than you think.