11 Comments
User's avatar
Sheryl Woolverton's avatar

As a former hospice and palliative care counselor, and caregiver to my own Mom when she was dying - I so relate to where you are. Our society confuses what living well and simply existing/aging mean. Sending you much love during this chapter.

A Little Bit of Grace & Grit's avatar

I didn’t know this about you! Clearly, you get it in the deepest way. Appreciate you.

Carolyn Witt's avatar

So true and so powerful. Thank you for sharing, sending you so much love.

A Little Bit of Grace & Grit's avatar

Thank you, my friend. It is a brutiful chapter.

Kathryn F's avatar

A great article Courtney. I stumbled upon health and fitness at the age of 60 and then it became a passion. I am now so blessed at the age of 74 to be free from taking any medications and to be living a healthy, active life.

A Little Bit of Grace & Grit's avatar

Look at you leading from the front! Cheering you on in the biggest way:)

Kathryn F's avatar

Thank you so very much.

Rev. Kevin T. Taylor's avatar

Courtney, this carries real moral weight because it begins in deeply personal caregiving and then widens into a larger question about how we steward health, aging, and responsibility before crisis forces attention. The phrase “aging by default” versus “aging by design” is especially strong, because it reframes wellness as posture and accumulated choice rather than fear, perfection, or vanity. What also stayed with me was the tenderness beneath the urgency; this is not abstract advice, but a daughter watching love become labor while still showing up with dignity and devotion. Grateful for the honesty, conviction, and courage in turning grief into something that may help others choose more intentionally while they still can.

A Little Bit of Grace & Grit's avatar

Thank YOU for the depth of consideration you give strangers on the internet. It is rare and much appreciated.

Jill's avatar

Thank you. Sending love and support way, too.

Wendy O'Callaghan's avatar

Thank you for that time Thank you for that timely post. its 3am in Taupo New Zealand and I can't sleep. wow then I read your post. so privileged to have such wonderful words. I am off to bed.