Everyone’s Favorite Relative

Lots of people get cranky as they age. Who can blame them? With the aches and pains I'm feeling at 53, I can only imagine what it's like to be an octogenarian.

Tina taught me an important lesson. 

Tina was raised with little financial stability, but with a lot of heart. Her father died when she was little and she lost the love of her life 35 years ago. And at 87 years old, she definitely feels the aches and pains of aging. But talk to Tina for just a few minutes and you'll marvel at her optimism and warmth.

It's no wonder Tina has been called “everyone’s favorite relative”. 

Sure, Tina kvetches. She is human, after all. But Tina's mother taught her that you're not defined by your circumstances. 

Tina feels grateful.

She’s grateful for having an extraordinary mother and for the life that she and her siblings made for themselves. She’s grateful for her old friends. She’s grateful for the bond her children have with one another and for the calls and notes she gets from her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Yes, Tina is an amazing human being. I just hope that I have an ounce of Tina's optimism when I'm 80. Practice, practice, practice -- starting now!