Barbara J. Hamby

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Quantity v. Quality

In today’s newspaper, I found a website where you can answer their questionnaire and the program will compute your possible life expectancy. Based on my answers, I was advised that, if I continue my present lifestyle, I may possibly live to age 98 or more. I’m not sure how I feel about that. As far as life is concerned, quality trumps quantity, in my opinion. Anyway, if you are interested in determining your possible lifespan, you may go to: http://www.moneycentral.msn.com/investor/calcs/n_expect/main.asp

The quality of my days right now is quite good. I could live without the arthritis pain that becomes severe at times, and is partially controlled by medication. There are many pitfalls that can occur in late life, such as losing the privilege of driving, possibly being unable to walk without the assistance of canes or a walker or unable to walk at all, but I don’t want to dwell on those possibilities at present. Diminishing cognitive ability is a frightening prospect and would definitely decrease quality and could make one wish to have less quantity of life. Enough about that.

One can only choose a lifestyle that may, according to present knowledge, stave off some of those quality killers. My present circumstances make it possible to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, if I choose to, and I do.