When I was in primary school, I wrote a report about Juan Ponce de León , the Spanish conquistador who in 1513 went looking for the legendary fountain of youth but found Florida instead. The story fascinated me, though I couldn’t quite grasp why people would search so arduously for a cure for aging. Growing old was something I saw happening to only a few folks, most notably my grandparents. Back then, old age was something far, far away. But now that I’m in my mid-50s, that port of call is on my horizon and gets closer with every passing year.

While I was recovering from a recent ankle operation, I had plenty of time to think about what my twilight years might be like. I also had more time to read, and I came across an article about the Portuguese film maker Manoel de Oliveira, who at the age of 98 entered a film in the Venice Film Festival. Oliveira’s Egyptian colleague Youssef Chahine said, “I am young. I am only 81. First of all, I never look at myself in the mirror. I think it’s silly to do that and tell oneself that you are getting older, especially when I look at Manoel still going strong.”

This set me off on a search for other old-timers who are still burning brightly. I soon found an abundance of venerable role models.

The Swiss mountaineer Ulrich Inderbinen recently passed away at 103. He climbed the Matterhorn 370 times. He made his last ascent when he was 90, and he climbed other mountains until he was 95. In one of his last interviews he said, “I have no idea how I got to be 100 years of age, but I no longer know any stress. For sure I have no fear of death. I have lived a full and happy life. Why should I be afraid?”

At 95, Olivia Neubauer still teaches reading five days a week to eager kindergarten students. One of her fellow teachers said the children get excited whenever they’re around her. “It’s a fascinating thing to watch.” Her principal added, “She comes in every morning, willing and ready to work, and she does a fantastic job.”

The legendary Cuban bassist Israel “Cachao” Lopez, known as the “father of the mambo,” set off on a three-week whirlwind concert tour of Europe at age 88. When asked how he has so much energy, he says simply, “I don’t smoke or drink.”

Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 72, Pope John Paul II continued his rigorous schedule of world travels into his 80s.

When media giants CBS and Viacom split in 2005, Sumner Redstone, who was 82 at the time, remained chairman of both companies.

Mother Teresa continued ministering to the poor of India well into her 90s.

After reading these and other seniors’ stories, I am feeling younger than ever.

Curtis Peter van Gorder is a member of the Family International in the Middle East.