Turning the Table on Aging

Earlier this year, I was shocked to discover that a friend from several seasons ago in my life suddenly died at just under 45, unexpectedly leaving behind his wife and growing family. Absolutely no one expected it and the news sent shockwaves through my friends in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

A few months later, I discovered that two of my college friends were battling cancer. How is this possible? They were both active and seemingly healthy prior to diagnosis, the busy parents of school-age kids and teenagers. You could say that this year has been a wake up call of sorts.

Here's what I've discovered: 

...We are all aging, whether we are 3, 30, or 91.

...There is no way to turn back or slow down the clock.

...We are not promised tomorrow.

...Life is a gift.

...Age is a number. Often, how we age is closely tied to our mindset.

...It is never too late to forge a new path, learn a new skill, or create new opportunities for a better life.

...You only get one body. Treat it well.

Perhaps David Bowie said it best: “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.” Here's to living our best years yet, together.

In honor of Healthy Aging^® Month this September, we want to take the opportunity to turn the table on aging. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will challenge common myths, assumptions and negative perspectives about the aging process. We will share our current efforts at ARHP to promote healthy aging in rural Arkansans and ways for you to connect more fully in your own health journey. We will offer tasty (and healthy) recipes from our Good Food Rx kitchen and highlight ways to increase your daily activity. We hope to inspire, encourage, and push you towards living the life you've always wanted.

To kick off Healthy Aging^® Month, we want to invite you to partner with us this autumn to feed rural Arkansas seniors experiencing food insecurity through The Good Food Rx. Your donation will support the purchase of food. For more information about The Good Food Rx, visit https://www.arruralhealth.org/arhp-initiatives/the-good-food-rx. For one-click giving, simply press the donate button on the The Good Food Rx page. All gifts are tax-deductible. Together, we can ensure that vulnerable seniors living in rural Arkansas have access to needed food and other health-social supports.

Sincerely, 

Your friends in rural health