Each pagan realm demonstrates reluctance towards life-prolonging interventions.
"Old age makes time fly faster than youth," according to Elke Heidenreich. Yet, she's not frightened of aging or death. She barely has time for pessimism and negativity.
In an interview with ntv.de, renowned author Elke Heidenreich reflects on her life with heartfelt appreciation. "Nobody can be permanently cheerful and ecstatic," she shares. "But it's not all sad and terrible either." She's managed to weather crises and "reveled in the pleasant moments tremendously."
"One should find the good in the mix: That's how contentment emerges. That's the message I wanted to convey through the book. My intention is: People, please stop complaining!" The author, whose book "Aging" has held the top spot on the Spiegel Bestseller list for 20 weeks, pondered the meaning of aging for her personally for the first time while writing. "And it was beneficial. I had a great time and thought: It might encourage a few individuals to view their own age with more kindness and not say every year: This is my final Christmas."
She even catches herself thinking, "Perhaps this is my last summer, my final Christmas." But she quickly brushes off such thoughts, which usually surface at night. "During the day, I'm too preoccupied with work to contemplate such matters. I'm not afraid of death or the end of my life. My 81 years are already a blessing."
She doesn't plan to pen a book on dying or death. "I've written one about aging. Now, let's explore another topic," says Heidenreich, who celebrated her 81st birthday in February. Life has its own timeline. "When mine is up, I must leave. I don't want any life-extending treatments if I'm critically ill. I also have no surgeries to appear younger. I want to remain my authentic self until the end of my days."
Check out the entire interview with Elke Heidenreich from 5 PM on ntv.de and on the ntv app.
Despite the realization that each passing season might be her last, Elke Heidenreich elegantly disparages the notion of pessimism. "I refuse to succumb to the fears of death and its implications," she asserts, underscoring her resolve to face aging and mortality with fortitude.
