As she celebrated her 103rd birthday, I had to ask Mrs. Sanchez, “What’s your favorite food?”
Whenever we go out to eat and I’m faced with a choice of two or three sides, I could happily choose potatoes as two of them—much to her annoyance. In fact, at a recent Super Bowl party, I looked down at my plate and noticed that I had done just that. That made it all the more funny when I sat down with one of our oldest residents a few years ago.
Mrs. Sanchez had been living at our community for some time.* In fact, she had been just living for some time. Still hale, hearty and quite trim, she was, in fact, celebrating her 103rd birthday when I took the time to sit down with her and chat for a few moments.
As there was plenty of food at the party (and on her plate), I thought to ask her, “You certainly had to have eaten a lot of food in your life. What’s your favorite food?” She dipped her head, thought about it for a moment or two and looked with a smile to say, “Mashed potatoes and gravy.”
When I went home that evening, I couldn’t wait to tell my wife—and rub it in a little bit. While she would prefer that I avoid potatoes completely and focus on something leafy and green, I had to note with a smile “Potatoes seem to work for her!”
Yep, there’s always something we can learn from our elders as we journey along the gray mile.
Having walked alongside hundreds (if not thousands) of seniors in my career, (as well as my parents, grandparents and in-laws), I’ve learned a bit about this crooked path in aging I’m calling, “the gray mile.” Having been a successful writer and author, I think I’m somewhat uniquely qualified to pass along a few of the lessons that I’ve learned.
The advertising industry would have you believe it’s a smooth easy walk that leads to a glorious golden sunset. For those who are well prepared (or can afford a guide), this can be the case. For those who may have faced challenges in getting to the trailhead before even attempting the journey, the path may not be nearly as smooth or sunny.
I’ve found that most seniors end up walking a path in a more grayish area—one that can be an unmarked switchback between beautiful, glorious days and those of rough, unforgiving terrain in which the pathway isn’t clear at all. In fact, it can be downright frightening.
I hope these pages will serve as a map, a guidebook as it were for your journey on the road ahead. Not as much for the sunny days (I think you can handle those), as for the more challenging ones. I’ve seen the pitfalls. I know the way stations. And I’ve met a few innkeepers in my travels.
Let’s begin this journey together. One day, when my time comes, I may ask you may take my hand to gently guide me.
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The Gray Mile 
You are adorable
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