Behind the Scenes - 302designs

Edna Parker, from Shelbyville, Indiana, was confirmed by the Guinness World Records as the oldest known person last week, after the death of Yone Mnagawa, who was born four months earlier than Edna.

Yone Mnagawa was born on January 4th, 1883. She outlived all her children, save one daughter. The staff at the nursing home, where she spent her last years, reported that she had a penchant for candy and cake.

Edna Parker was born on April 20, 1893. She lives at the Heritage House Convalescent Center in Morgan county. Strangely enough the world’s tallest women, Sandy Allen who tops a tall 7 feet 71/4 inches, also resides at the center. I wonder if they’re friends?

So much of what we see and hear is about a fear of aging; new attempts to turn back the clock are advertised everywhere. Rarely are old age and happiness associated together. While the press coverage of Mnagawa’s death and Parker’s new title as World’s Oldest Woman did not necessarily focus on whether or not they led happy, fulfilled lives, the two events bring to light that getting old shouldn’t be considered something we dread, rather something that should be celebrated and embraced.