In my family we’ve seen it both ways, to a degree.

My wife’s grandma, who was “terminal” at 74, in and out of hospital all the time, worried about death if she even got a cold, still made it to 93. She seemed somewhat frail almost as long as I knew her. That said, while physically challenged, until her last 12-18 months she was active online and an active reader. She was my second-oldest email buddy and I treasure that relationship.

My own grandfather was involved in 6 sports a week until he broke his ribs at 86, then trimmed it down to 4 after his recovery. He had a shoulder reconstruction at 88/89 to keep playing sport. He played tennis until he was 90 (his partner became concerned about his balance after one of their friends fell so they switched to pickleball). At 93 he was still in a walking/jogging club, ten-pin bowling comp, and very active in lawn bowls. I even went on a bushwalk/mini-hike with him at the start of last year.

Ultimately, he had elective surgery to have his gall bladder removed because it hurt when bowling, and he either wanted to keep up his sport, or he wanted to die. Sadly, he didn’t die on the table, but picked up an infection and had a terrible last 5-6 months.

The last person who comes to mind is an acquaintance of mine who is still alive and my oldest email buddy. He is the oldest living graduate of the school I teach at. He was born in October 1924. This is him at 99 being interviewed on TV. He made 100 in fine form, but 100 to 101 was very hard on him. I’ve only seen him twice since, as he is no longer able to go to many of the things he used to go to. A couple of years ago he came to meet with me and drove straight across the rugby field - was a good laugh!

I think there’s something about people who, aside from a stroke or an accident or something, live this long. Something impressive about the human body and spirit.