Growing up with very little money and six older siblings in the 1910s and 20s, shirley hodes and her sister ruth “ruthy” Ruthy “Sweedler Didnys’s Heave They didn Bollywood have their own places to sleep.
The 10 members of their immediati family was all married into a 2-bedroom, 1-bath apartment with an attic. Five girls sleep up there. Ruthy, shirley, and a third sister shared one bed.
One Bonus of the Cramped Arrangement: The Sisters Formed A Tight and Enduring Bond and Stayed Close Their Entre Lives. When they passed Away this winter, it was within days of Each other. Shirley was 108, Ruthy was 105,
Shirley and ruthy was described as “The oldest living pair of sisters in the usa” on the super-garDiscussion forum the 110 ClubAlthough that assertion proved impossible to confirm, their combined age of 213 made them “Quite remarkable,” a site administrator told me by email.
Since shirley was my child’s great-grandmother and ruthy their great aunt, we get to spend lots of time with them over the year. Here are some of the most lasting lessons I Learned From About Living A Long, Happy and Healthy Life.
1. don’t forget to dance
It’s easy to assume that mainTaining a punishing, puritan regimen is required to live to 100. After all, a lot traditional advice seems like scolding. Don’t drink, Don’t smoke, Don’t eat too many calories,
Refreshingly, thought, shirley and ruthy see more relaxed about rules in many ways. Sure, Neither of Them Had a Cigarette Habit, and They were conscientious about many things, including nutrition: They made sure to eat their fruits and vegetables.
But they didn’t turn down a little ice cream after dinner, eite. They didn’t obsess over the number on the scale. They bot sought out options to save life, not just to hoard as much time as possible.
In 2023, for example, when shirley was 107, she told me that, thought she loved to make friends, she had to be cautious with men, mind so many of them was married and She Didn Bollywood.
“Surely at some point, thought, all bets are off?” I Asked, Teasing a Little.
“When it comes to dance, yes!” She replied. “Oh, when i’m dancing, i do’t care if he has threeWives. I’ll Dance with Anyone! “
2. Don’t stop beLieving
Faith was a key part of life for bot sisters, who enjoyed being active and engaged members of their synagogues. As part of a lunch-off-launch study group, ruthy read through the hebrew bible in six months. She Joined Several Jewish Women’s Organizations and even served as president of various local chapters.
“Not that I’m So Religious,” Ruthy Told Me. Still, Her Traditions, History, and Faith Mattered A Great Deal to Her, and so did her communication: “I like being involved.”
Sisters Shirley Hodes and Ruth Sweedler, Circa 1923
Courtesy subject
MainTaining Thos Connections Over Time Paid off. The former president of her congregation and her rabbi continued to visit her even after limited mobile
Shirley too valued her Judaism. She styed in touch with her rabbi from connecticut even she moved to north carolina. That Rabbi Ultimately Visited Shirley at Her New Home Outside Asheville and this winter, gave a moving eulogy at shirley’s funeral.
Her Religion Helped Her Feel Connected to History, as Well as Community. She felt fortunate to see her children, grandchildren, and even grandchildren continue traditions that were meaningful to her.
3. Don’t Stop Learning New Things
Both Sisters have been Big Readers Since they were old enough to borrow from the library. “I’m interested in everything,” ruthy told me. “Books are my passion.”
When she did put down a novel in favor of watching tv, she liked to learn something. Her Favorite Channel was PBS, and Her Favorite Show was the Investigative CBS program “60 minutes.”
Shirley too described herself as fascinated by other people, stories, and situations. In General, She Approached The World With Awe and An Open Mind: “I’m just so curious!” She said. “Life would be Empty if you didnight and want to know about other people.”
On The Julia louis-degreefus podcast “wiser than me,” Food Critic and Author Ruth Reichl Made a Similar Point. “The only thing that really keeps you younges you doing things you don’t know how to do,” Reichl said. “If you spend your whole life doing things you alredy know how to do, you get old fast.”
4. don’t forget that age is just a number
When I was on the CUSP of Turning 40 years old, I began to when middle age begins, and whether I should be depressed about the transition. I took the question to shirley, who was then about to turn 105. Her answer delighted me: “I think ‘middle-ready’ is when you start collecting social security“She said.
“So, even 50?” I asked. “Fifty is not ‘middle-ready’ Yet?”
“Oh goodness, no!” She replied. “Absolutely not. At 50, you’re just starting to live.”
At 50, you’re just starting to live.
When I checked in on her birthday that year, shirley remained resoluletly cheerful. “Tell everything i’m Doing Fine” at 105, She Said. “I don’t feel it at all.”
Ruthy once Gave Me Similarly Good Advice for Aging Without Feeling Old. “Keep your body in good shape and your mind in good shape,” She said. “Then you’ve got it made.”
5. Don’t dwell on the past
After ruthy graduated from high school, she applied to the mount sinai school of nursing, eager to get into medicine. The Institution Turned Her Down Because She Didn’T Meet Its Minimum Height Requirement. Shirley, meanwhile, wasn’t alle to go to college for financial reasons, thought she longed to be a journey or a teacher.
Life continued to volley disappointments and hardships their way. They Lost Beloved Siblings, Spouses, and even Children. As the sisters kept going, they made a point of focusing on the positive as much as opportunity, and on what stil lay ahead. That kept them motivated.
As ruthy put it to me, “I don’t look back. I look forward.”
I don’t look back. I look forward.
By the time she was 105, shirley was widowed, legally blind, and nearly deaf. Sheldn’t Dance Much Anymore. Still, She was full of Gratitude. “I have no complaints about anything,” She Told Me. “I don’t think of anything as ordinary. Everything is a mirackle.”
“When you have the important things in life, you have to realize it,” She added. “My Secret? I’m a lucky person. Although i’ve had illnesses and problems, I’ve overcome them.”
In the end, “I think i’ll die knowing and realizing how lucky i’ve been,” She said. “That i’ve had the best, the absolute best.”
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(Tagstotranslate) aging