managing the senior years

i've been a voyeur of my husband's old age for a very long time. he recently passed away at the amazing age of 96. it is a process that requires enormous strength, unconditional love and the knowledge that try as one may we cannot control someone else destiny as well as our own.
paul newman once said that getting old is not for sissies..he knew where he was coming from.....no one prepares us for this process. watching the one you adore slowly fade away. it is horrific. yet when one was priviledged to have a partner for 63 years there suddenly becomes an awareness that one was priviledged to have this gift for so long.
my advice therefore to all who travel this road is to appreciate what you had, get on with your life. involve yourself with friends, make new ones...keep your mind and body active and treasure whatever time you have. don't waste life.