TV
13 lessons we can all learn from centenarians
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of ABC’s powerful show You Can’t Ask That here at Over60, so when they did an episode starring eight Aussie centenarians sharing their 100 years-plus of wisdom, we couldn’t wait to hear what they had to say.
Here’s what they say life is like over the age of 100.
On sex and love
- “I was sexually active up until about four years ago. One’s performance gradually disappears.” – Professor David Goodall, 102.
- “I don’t agree with instant sex. If you’re too free you don’t have that longing and wanting.” – Eileen Kramer, 102.
- “My husband died in 1953 I was 37. I had too much to do to miss it [sex]. I had two children to bring up so I had no time to miss it.” – Irene O’Shea, 101.
- “I’ve only had one girl in my life. I think one is enough. One is enough at a time, anyway. I met her in a little country dance hall. She smiled. And in that smile was a Cupid’s arrow.” – Dexter Kruger, 106.
On loss
- “I still grieve for my brother. I still grieve for mum and dad. And it’s [been] 40 years, so you don’t forget.” – Anne Bernstein, 100.
- “I still love my wife. I see her where she was cremated, quite regularly. I might go there and shed a few tears.” – Lindsay Boyd, 100.
- “I miss the one who made the most trouble, my first husband. My second husband never made any trouble at all. We had a very blissful nine years together and I wish he hadn’t died.” – Eileen.
On dying and the secret to longevity
- “I always drank modestly.” – Professor Goodall.
- “I’ve been reported dead on four occasions ... so I know what it feels like.” – Dexter.
- “Lots of other people do it [dying], so it can’t be all that difficult.” – Alf Jarvis, 102.
On the “good old days”
- “I never had any ‘good old days,’ my life was war, worry.” – Irene.
- “The ‘good old days’ are now.” – Eileen.
- “We didn’t have any money but we had a good life.” – Colin Lowcock, 100.
To watch the full episode for free on ABC iView, click here.