Why don’t the French grow old?
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Living in a small village here in France I have noticed one marvellous thing about the people…they don’t get old!. OK, they ‘age’ like the rest of us do, but, the key is that they don’t slow down. They keep active.
Just consider my local village. I sometimes have to go in at 6.30am to collect the bakery items for the guests’ breakfasts and the elderly locals are already up, out and about. People who are on the ‘other’ side of 80 are sweeping their steps, walking dogs, visiting the grocer and the baker. Nearly all of them get around on bicycles too and that in itself would keep their joints and bodies fit. Plus they enjoy their wine and cigarettes.
One of my favourite characters from the village is a certain gentleman who runs the general store. He sells everything from flowers, to pots and pans and gas bottles. It is a common sight to see him riding along on his ancient bike, cigarette in mouth, steering the bike with one hand and the other balancing a huge gas bottle on his shoulder as he is on his way to deliver it to a customer. Weaving in and out of the traffic he gives you a wave when he sees you…with the steering hand!.
This man would be 80 if he is a day. And he never stops.
I know of people…not French…who retire. And seem to retire from life. They hit 65, stop work, and sit, and age. A spot of gardening here, a spot of reading there…and that’s it. They are old before they need to be.
I think the local French have found the answer: keep moving and never stop working, and enjoy life!.
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