Dick Van Dyke is 100!

We had a few DVDs on rotation for long car rides, namely Moana, Frozen, and Mary Poppins. Each of these, my sister and I watched at least a million times over, strapped in our booster seats and immersed in the films we had grown to love. 

I just read a New York Times article on Dick Van Dyke in honor of his 100th birthday. While he was such a prevalent character in my childhood, I was also shocked that he was still alive (I had believed Mary Poppins to be from centuries ago).

To be honest, this article was extremely refreshing. Rather than saying that the keys to long life were some unattainable notions, Van Dyke outlined simple habits that many strive for anyway. Being active, maintaining connections, owning pets, singing to the radio, and living with an open mind are all completely manageable goals. While it seems so obvious, it’s never occurred to me that the secret to longevity does not just lie in one’s genetics, but rather the extent to which they live a full life. 

My great-grandmother is 97 years old. She lives in Indonesia and has outlived half of her children. I’ve only seen her once, when I was 8. While I don’t know if she personally follows the same ingredients to long life as Dick Van Dyke, I know that she raised her children to do so. My grandma (her daughter) is currently flying around the world with my grandpa and her friends. Both of my grandparents are still working, going out for celebrations and dinners, and occasionally taking care of my dog when I go away. They, just like Dick Van Dyke, are an active part of their community. I hope that I can lead my life in the same, healthy way.