Well, I wonder how many people - smokers or non - live to 95? Lots of 'em die even before age 60 whether they smoke or not, as far as I know ....

And even when people do reach 95, I wonder how many still feel productive or grateful or even happy about it??? A short walk through your local nursing home might provide a clue about this ...

My grandad was still climbing the Alberta Rockies training the Forestry students till he was 82. Four years after he retired, he died of a stroke. He was 86 - and had enjoyed a quiet pipeful in the evenings for most of his adult life.

I don't think he had any regrets ... after being so active all his life it was very hard for him to be homebound. He was growing more and more difficult to care for, depressed and unhappy. I don't think he wanted another 9 years of watching his mind and body grow more and more feeble. He was "ready" to move on.

PLease don't get me wrong - I'm NOT saying everyone who reaches the age of 95 is incapacitated or unhappy. And I'm not saying his life is statisically significant in any way - cuz it isn't. I just find it interesting.

And he was another one who was ALWAYS giving me grief about smoking, too, bless him ....

daylia