By Georgie Bright Kunkel

That is the advice that I give to anyone who asks me how I managed to live so long. Of course, the measure of living a long life is programmed in your genes but don’t underestimate healthy living including exercise every day. If you could see me in the morning when I first get out of bed (heaven forbid) you would catch me doing my tendon stretches. There is no way to keep tendons healthy without doing these exercises. As one gets older the activity level isn’t what it was when we were youngsters, right? I used to do handsprings and summersaults in my youth. You won’t catch me doing those much these days. So we have to intentionally concentrate on moving every part of the body.

This morning was a test of keeping in the world. I was asked to do a short segment on the New Day show on channel 5. I thought they might provide limousine service—not. So my daughter offered to drive me there and back since she works swing shift and was only on call on Wednesday. She loved going backstage and wending our way along the tunnels without windows to the New Day studio. And what an appreciative audience. I shared my little book called My Sex Secrets by Grandma and tips for healthy aging as well. Afterwards during the commercials I got to interact with the people who had ventured out for this morning show. I was amazed that so many people would leave their morning coffee time to observe an “old lady,” me, spouting out her wisdom.

In this age of technology and TV bringing the world into the living room it is often easy to forget older people of the tribe. Older people have a lot of life lessons to share but they aren’t often asked to share them. For this reason I am proactive in offering my life stories to anyone who will listen. I know how I loved my mother’s friend who was my babysitter when I was of preschool age. She had wonderful stories to tell and special skills to share. I always wanted to be like her when I grew up and have attempted to model her wonderful mentoring.

When I walked into the KING studio building to wait to be called on stage I was lulled by the wonderful fountain in the lobby with its trickling sound, soothing my soul. However, since I have been on stage over the years my butterfly stomach is not as fluttery as it once was. In front of the building was a statue with interesting figures beckoning us into the studio. My daughter took my picture joining the figures in the statue and soon we were on the viaduct returning home. Luckily we didn’t take the viaduct on the way down as the traffic jam would have kept me from my day in the sun at the KING studio. As everyone in West Seattle knows, traffic is not what it was in the old days. More time has to be allowed for traffic congestion. No matter. The summer tourists are not discouraged from driving down to the waterfront and taking rides on the Ferris wheel. The waterfront is still a drawing card for visitors and locals out of school for summer vacation.

Margaret Larson host of the New Day show had never met me, the local columnist. She was very welcoming in her greeting to me as I walked on stage. She is a gem in her inclusiveness and openness to a range of topics and age groups. Because of this I broke my rule of rarely venturing into the big city of Seattle. Her warmth and openness made my day. What a talent to be so gracious to all her guests who leave believing that they are queens or kings for the day. Now that I have again ventured into the big city without any ill effects, I may try it again sometime.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at 206-935-8663 or gnkunkel@comcast.net