Aging Gracefully: Dick Van Dyke's Journey to 100

Dick Van Dyke, the beloved actor and comedian, is just weeks away from turning 100. As he approaches this milestone, he's been open about the challenges and joys of aging. In a recent essay, he shared that he's had to slow down, turning down gigs in Chicago and New York because travel has become too tough. He joked about his physical changes, saying he's now a "stooper, a shuffler, and a teeterer, " and that his sight is so bad, origami is out of the question. But Van Dyke isn't letting these changes get him down. He's still full of life and laughter, thanks in part to his wife, Arlene, who is 56. They dance together in the mornings and keep each other laughing. Van Dyke credits their romance with keeping him young at heart. He also sings with an a cappella group called the Vantastix, where he's the oldest member by far. "When we sing, my heart just soars, " he said. Van Dyke's secret to staying young? Laughter, romance, and doing what he loves. He also stays active, hitting the gym three times a week. He does a circuit, focusing on his legs and upper body, and plays music to keep his spirits high. "By the end, I'm in a sweaty rush, the blood flowing from fingertips to toes, and my spirits are soaring, " he said. Despite his physical challenges, Van Dyke is determined not to let them define him. He's stubbornly refused to give in to the "bad stuff" in life, like failures, losses, and the pains of aging. Instead, he's embraced life with a "full-on bear hug, " seeing it as a giant playground rather than a job. As he approaches his 100th birthday, Van Dyke's message is clear: aging isn't about giving up, it's about finding joy in the little things and staying active, both physically and mentally.