Sugar makes the heart grow old

Katie Couric's newest documentary called FED UP had a profound effect on my.. I was left ringing my hands in anger, checking all of the products in my home, and becoming astounded at just how much hidden sugar was in stuff I was heating. Healthy stuff, at that.. things I never suspected.. I told all my friends, co-workers, and family to download the COURIC hit, and I promised, their lives would change to..

So you'd imagine my face after reading the secrets of a 104-year-old woman's key to living past the century mark: Dr. Pepper..

Forth Worth's CBS' Kaley O'Kelley profiled Elizabeth Sullivan as she turned 104.. The local story running on the CBS website shows the party.. interviews Sullivan. And the keys to life, the secrets of longevity, were revealed:

“People try to give me coffee for breakfast. Well, I’d rather have a Dr. Pepper.” Sullivan fell in love with the soft drink’s trademark “23 flavors” when she was in her 60’s. “I started drinking them about 40 years ago. Three a day. Every doctor that sees me says they’ll kill you, but they die and I don’t. So there must be a mistake somewhere.”

For her birthday she got a very big surprise. A beautiful cake shaped like what else, Dr. Pepper.

Commenting on her special day she said, “When you live to be 104 and still can talk to nice people, you deserve some Dr. Pepper, but I never expected this.”

I think, right now, the fine corporate suits at Dr. Pepper better get on the ball and trademark these statements.. They should get this woman into a Super Bowl commercial for 2016.. They need to strike while the iron is hot..

Who needs Katie Couric and her warnings that sugar is slowly killing all of us!? We have someone who's been drinking Dr. Pepper for over 50 years and is still going strong.. even asking for me.

But the real secret?

She was asked if she has a secret for living past 100. She said she really doesn’t, other than, “you just keep living”.

And that may be the point..

How often do you see younger people--younger as in the early to mid 60s and retiring--just dwindle and rescind all bits of fun and frivolity? How many times did you know of someone or heard the story of someone else who retired, and immediately afterwards die or succumb to some horrid disease or affliction that prevented them from enjoying the years after work..

While I do not believe someone should be defined by the work they do wholly, there is something to be said for working. For doing something, something anything. For having a daily mission, or a profound reason for being..

I am striving to find answers to the meaning of life. I am desiring 'signs' or mile markets from the gods, God, or aliens that created us.. and I am attempting my best--so far a futile exercise--to find the reason for existence. Maybe it's quite simple.

Maybe it's Dr. Pepper.
Or better yet, maybe you just keep living.
And never start dying.

Happy birthday Elizabeth Sullivan. May carbonated beverage be cold and strong.