In 2019, I lived in Washington, DC, and my Grandma Lenora lived in Minnesota. We often talked on the phone, and during that time, we had our first conversation about her outlook on life. It’s a conversation that stuck with me.
She was having a lot of neck pain, and it was hard for her to find any sort of relief. I asked her how she always had such a good attitude, and she said, “Being grumpy doesn’t help anyone. I’m not happy about what’s going on, but it is what it is, and it makes others happier when you’re not grumpy too.”
Her sunny perspective truly sank in when I started to think about everything she had gone through in her life.
She lost a daughter due to a preterm birth. Her husband — my grandpa — was in a farming accident that left him with lifelong mobility challenges. She gave up going to nursing school to help her family on their farm. Then, she later lost my grandfather after over 50+ years of marriage together.
Yet, her outlook on life is probably the most positive of anyone I know, and I’ve learned a lot from her.
Courtesy of Stephanie Mork
I call her the original travel influencer
My grandma has always grabbed life by the horns and made the most of every opportunity.
I always like to say she was the original influencer because she has this photo from a trip to Italy in the 80s that is reminiscent of the way travel creators often pose for photos now.
Even with my grandpa’s mobility challenges, they went to places like Egypt, Israel, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands well into their retirement years. They took advantage of every opportunity they could to spend time with their friends and have new experiences.
Several of her trips definitely influenced me to visit the same places, including the birthplace of her father — my great-grandfather!
Courtesy of Stephanie Mork
She’s still making friends
When my grandpa died, she moved into a senior living co-op where she became a figure in the building because of her sugar cookies and her positive attitude. She attended exercise classes and went to building events with her new friends.
She has taken every challenge and life change at face value with that “It is what it is” attitude.
Faith is important to her
Her faith is also a central part of her life. When I asked her what she thinks has contributed to her long life, she said, “I don’t think I’ve done anything special, but God has been with me the whole time.”
Humble, grateful, and generous — she has always been about loving the people around her and has continued to stay grateful through the challenges.
Courtesy of Stephanie Mork
She’s lived a life full of gratitude
Although she and my grandfather had only an 8th-grade education, they built a thriving farming business. My grandmother also has a generous heart, and she and my grandfather have given a lot of their money away to organizations focused on supporting young people, from kids’ camps to orphanages to local universities. I believe this has also contributed to her long life.
Her perspective on the world is something I hope to carry with me as I age. She never complains, has embraced the final years of her life with gratitude.
When I asked her recently if she had any other thoughts on her long life, she said, “I’m not too special, I’m just very thankful for all I have.”
I believe my Grandma Lenora’s long life is a testament to her humility, gratitude, and giving spirit. And because of all of these traits, she would never brag about anything she’s done and claim it’s the reason for her long life.
These traits, in combination with her years working and living on farms, have kept her strong both emotionally, mentally, and physically. Just last year, she was still peeling and cooking countless apples to make batches of homemade applesauce for her family, and loves to make us sugar cookies, too.
