Last Updated on February 8, 2021
The Rock Stars of Aging® show the rest of us what’s possible in life. They’re living proof of the power of taking care of ourselves, remaining socially active and, perhaps most importantly, remaining passionate about life throughout our entire lives.
This week, we were treated to two high-profile examples of this zest for life in action.
The nation fell head-over-heels in love with 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin, whose lifelong dream of visiting the White House came true in spectacular fashion.
For decades, McLaurin, a long-time resident of Washington, D.C., has volunteered in her community, helping generations of children with their reading and social skills. She is a Senior Corps volunteer at Roots Public Charter School and participates in the United Planning Organization’s Foster Grandparent Program, serving as a foster grandparent and mentor to special-needs students. For the past 20 years, she has also volunteered 40 hours a week at the C. Melvin Sharpe Health School.
A friend of McLaurin’s reached out to the White House to describe the centenarian’s commitment to volunteering and to help make her White House dream come true. She was invited to attend a Black History Month event at the White House, and before it, the White House arranged for her to meet privately with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
The 106-year-old couldn’t contain her excitement, so she did one of the things she loves best — she started to dance!
“I thought I would never live to get in the White House. And I tell you, I am so happy. A black president! A black wife! And I’m here to celebrate black history. Yeah, that’s what I’m here for,” she said during the meeting.
By noon the next day, her phone had been ringing off the hook and she still hadn’t seen the viral video yet herself until a Washington Post reporter showed it to her. Her reaction is nearly as priceless as the original video!
The 106-year-old viral star sees her video for the first time
Before lunchtime on Monday, Virginia McLaurin hadn’t seen herself meeting the president. Watch as she sees the video for the first time. Read her story: http://wapo.st/1TBplh5
Posted by Washington Post on Monday, February 22, 2016
Thank you, Ms. McLaurin for showing us that it’s never, ever too late for our dreams to come true!
Another Rock Star of Aging showed off some killer dance moves this week — the one and only Dick Van Dyke. At 90, Van Dyke proved he hasn’t lost a step!
Van Dyke, who played Bert in the Disney classic “Mary Poppins,” joined “The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60” Master of Ceremonies Derek Hough on stage during a performance to “Step in Time.” Even when the music ended, Van Dyke wasn’t ready to stop tapping his toes!
Click here or on the image above to watch the video on ABC’s website.
Van Dyke recently chatted with Growing Bolder about his continued passion for movement for our cover story in Growing Bolder Magazine:
Click here to read the article and get his advice for smashing the stereotypes of aging and living an active, vibrant life.
And if you want even more inspiration from other superstars of aging, be sure to subscribe to our FREE weekly Growing Bolder Insider newsletter. Once you sign up, we’ll send you a FREE download of our ebook, “Rock Stars of Aging: 50 Ways to Live to 100.” It’s based upon our hundreds of interviews with the world’s most active 80-, 90- and 100-year-olds and it will inspire you to start living today to make your future bold!
