When we go to a new doctor, we are often asked about our family.

Doctors specially ask how old your parents were when they passed away and what was the cause of death.

In addition to asking how old your parents were when they passed away, some doctors ask about the health of your siblings.

When I asked one doctor why they want to know about my siblings he said that knowing a family’s health history helps doctors develop a more complete picture of possible rick factors for disease.

When I said my mother died of Alzheimer’s he asked how old she was when she first got it.

I wasn’t sure so I asked my sister Cindy. She is 18 years younger than I am and was more involved in Mom’s care.

But she didn’t know.

“You know we never talked about age,” she said. I sure do know that.

Age was a secret that we never revealed.

When I went to visit my grandmother in the hospital after a fall she told me when she died not to publish her age in her obituary.

It turned out she was 92 but she still guarded her age as a big secret, and wanted that to continue even after her death.

My sister looks like a teenybopper but she won’t tell her age, either.

I read that youngsters always stretch their age. A 9-year old, for example will say she’s almost 10.

But older folks are more likely to shave off years, not make themselves older.

That changes again when they get to be what we call a ripe old age. Then, some might proudly proclaim their age.

While I’ve never been reluctant to tell my age, I can admit there is sometimes a down side.

Sometimes people judge you by your age not your ability.

When my friend Al was planning a boat trip to favorite destination he said he wasn’t going to take a guy I’ll call John because John was “too old.” Al said he didn’t want the responsibility of taking someone that old on an all-day trip because “anything could happen.”

The strange thing was that three of us women were about same age as the guy he said was too old for the trip.

Al is one of my favorite people and he always saves room for me on his trips. I wondered if he would see me differently if he knew my age.

I know everyone ages differently. The older I get the more I know how important exercise is.

The old adage about age is true: “If you don’t use it you lose it.”

One of my friends is my age and was doing so well when she was going to physical therapy. I was happy to see how well she was walking.

When she stopped all exercise because she said it’s too much trouble, little by little she lost her ability to walk. Now I can’t get her to go anywhere. It breaks my heart.

Views on aging have shifted drastically, probably because we now aware that we can stay healthier longer if we remain active.

We’re told that people are redefining old later life.

Midlife last longer and old age begins much later.

When I went to check out South Port Square I met a woman in the elevator who invited me to her wedding reception that day. She said she was 83.

Once I moved to South Port, I was surprised to find that scenario is common.

People who lost their spouse after long-term marriages no longer want to remain alone.

I wish I could show you a video of my friend Tom., He walks with a spring in his step is now planning a new life with Shirley.

They are both extremely active and are always the first to volunteer to help someone.

I never knew how old they were, but I judged they were in their early 70s.

I was stunned when Tom said he was 97. The rumor is they are planning a wedding. What a delight they are.

They are not the only ones enjoying late-in-life romance. It’s so common that it’s more like the norm.

These are men and woman who have been tested by life. They have known heartbreak, sorrow and coping with their own medical problems.

But they also know the fragility of life. They know how to take every day for the gift that it is.

And they know how to make the most of every day.

What impresses me is that the residents here are always upbeat and happy.

I think that’s because they have experienced so much of life. They want to make the most of the time they are given.

We all know life is short. But we forget that too often.

I just read an interesting article that asked, “If you knew this was your last day of life, how would you spend it?”

How would you answer that question?

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net