This is Day 2 of spending a week with 91-year-old Chiharu in my little longevity laboratory here in Buren Bay, Japan. It's only the second time we've met. The first was a few months ago when I took her sailing aboard Wahine. Today, Wahine belongs to her son Mitsu, while I remain here continuing my research into longevity and the art of community. Today's highlights included: • Sunrise Radio Taiso • Breakfast together • Mitsu catching our supper • Haiku over lunch • Snorkeling in the bay • Supper together • A mountaintop sunset • Skateboarding • High fives What strikes me isn't just that Chiharu can still do these things at 91. It's that she wants to. She approaches each part of the day with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a readiness to join in. These are only small observations from everyday life, but they continue to shape the questions I'm asking about what it really means to age well. Tomorrow... Day 3. Read more at: https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/blog #Longevity #HealthyAging #Community #Japan #JapanSolo #AgingWell #ActiveAging

0

0

0

1,250

This was a special day. It started out with Radio Taiso again early morning then we rowed out to Wahine. It was only the second time I'd sailed with 91-year-old Chiharu. The first was back in April, when I owned and skippered Wahine. One of my favourite memories from that day was watching Chiharu at the helm. She absolutely loved it. Today was different. Wahine now belongs to her son, Mitsu, who plans to sail her from Japan to Mexico next year as part of his turtle research. Today was his first time skippering Wahine. He is an experienced sailor, but today his first taking responsibility for Wahine I came along as crew while Mitsu handled every aspect of the boat himself. It was a training sail and a pleasure to watch. Chirau was back at the helm again, smiling just as she had a few months earlier. By evening, we were back at Mitsu's house overlooking Buren Bay, where mother and son picked up their instruments and sang together once again. Some moments stay with you long after the day is over. This was one of them. Tomorrow... Day 4. A Week with Chiharu is a seven-day glimpse into the life of 91-year-old Chiharu as she spends time with her son Mitsu and me in Buren Bay, Japan. Through ordinary moments—sharing meals, singing, sailing, walking, and simply enjoying each day's adventures—I'm exploring what everyday life can teach us about aging well, community, and the art of growing older. https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/blog #Longevity #Sailing #Japan #Community #HealthyAging #JapanSolo #ActiveAging .

0

0

0

1,270

A Week with Chiharu is a seven-day glimpse into the life of 91-year-old Chiharu as she spends time with her son Mitsu and me in Buren Bay, Japan. Through ordinary moments—sharing meals, singing, sailing, walking, and simply enjoying each day's adventures—I'm exploring what everyday life can teach us about aging well, community, and the art of growing older. Day 4 The day began, as it often does, with sunrise, Radio Taiso, and breakfast. Today's special treat was locally grown passion fruit. After breakfast came haiku, before Chiharu headed off with her son Mitsu to enjoy lunch with friends and an afternoon of music and singing with singer Tomo-chan. Chiharu has a large appetite for life. She enjoys physical activity, but she's equally drawn to creativity, conversation, music, friendship, and good food. As I continue my research into Japan's longevity communities, I observe that aging well is about more than exercise or diet. It is remaining fully engaged with people, with place, and with life itself. Tomorrow... Day 5. About Lowell Sheppard Lowell Sheppard is Founder of Never Too Late Academy, Special Advisor to the International Academic Forum (IAFOR), and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). After living in Japan for nearly three decades, he is traveling the country researching longevity, community, and healthy aging, sharing observations from Japan that may help us all live well for longer. https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/blog #Longevity #HealthyAging #Community #JapanSolo #Japan #ActiveAging #NeverTooLateAcademy

0

0

0

32