# My Dad Defies Age: The Unexpected 70-Year-Old
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Chapter 1: A Surprising Encounter
Last week, my father visited his doctor's office, and an amusing incident unfolded in the waiting area. A nurse emerged from the back, surveyed the room, and then proceeded to the adjacent waiting area, only to repeat her search.
Returning to the first waiting room, she called out, "Thomas?"
"That's me," my dad replied, standing up.
"No," the nurse insisted, "I'm looking for Thomas H — -."
"That's me," he confirmed once again.
As they walked to the examination room to check his weight, she inquired, "You're Thomas H — -?"
He reiterated that he was indeed the patient she sought. It’s noteworthy that my dad is 70 years old, yet the nurse had anticipated finding an elderly man with a cane, perhaps hunched over and sporting gray hair or baldness.
However, my dad has embraced a healthy vegan lifestyle for the last two decades (and yes, there are unhealthy vegans out there). He practices Tai Chi daily, has a passion for collecting and playing guitars, and teaches at a community college, which keeps him feeling youthful.
Although he is thinning on top, his hair remains a shade of brown, leading to frequent misjudgments about his age. His wife experiences similar misconceptions.
Section 1.1: The Doctor's Surprise
During the appointment, the doctor expressed surprise at my dad's appearance, stating, "There are two kinds of individuals. Some neglect their health, and it shows when they come in for check-ups. Then, there are those like you, whom my nurse overlooked because you appear far younger than your actual age."
He quipped that he wished he could display a sign in the lobby saying, "This could be you at 70."
Subsection 1.1.1: A Transformative Journey
Section 1.2: The Humorous Irony
Ironically, when I was my father’s age, he was on the verge of a heart attack. I recall his grueling daily commutes from Canyon Country, California, to Los Angeles, rarely arriving home before 7 PM. He struggled with high blood pressure and was overweight, often receiving stern warnings from his doctors about his lifestyle.
Then he met my mother. Together, they opted for a vegan diet, relocated to Colorado, and he transitioned from a high-stress career as a magazine editor to teaching. As you can see, this shift has profoundly impacted his life.
Chapter 2: Rethinking Aging
I share this story because many of us believe that decline is a natural part of getting older. Yet the reality is that aging poorly is only a certainty if we maintain unhealthy habits.
Nutrition and exercise are crucial habits to adopt early in life, but it's never too late to start. My parents were once junk food enthusiasts, which influenced my own eating habits. They simply didn’t know any better or couldn’t change.
Is it challenging to relearn these habits? Yes. But is it the most vital step I can take for my well-being? Absolutely.
I’m now witnessing my daughter instill healthy practices in my grandchildren, something I never experienced. My grandson recently mentioned that he enjoys whole grain bread because it's healthy. Children are perceptive; they grasp these lessons.
While our parents may not have had this knowledge, we do, and we can impart these healthy habits early, particularly through our own actions.
Take your first small step today towards a healthier future at 70. You won’t regret it.
I’ve always had a passion for writing, so I sincerely appreciate your time in reading this. If you feel inclined, here's a link to buy me a cup of coffee.
Kate has transformed her challenging beginnings as a teenage welfare mom into motivation for education and a successful career. Now a mother of four adults and grandmother to two little ones, she works as a Fund Accountant in the alternative investment field while writing articles on various topics related to finance, relationships, parenting, and life in general.
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