HNA column
By Angela Douglas
Cuor di Bue: The Heart of an Ox Local gardener proves age is just a number
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hen asked to summarize her life philosophy and describe how someone can be so vibrant and active at age 80, Nancy Creaney (Malizio) quotes naval officer David Farragut: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Creaney is the daughter of Irish and Italian immigrants and has been a resident of New Albany for 15 years. Nancy is a friend of the New Albany Food Pantry with a voracious passion for gardening! Nancy’s secrets to staying young in both body and mind include keeping a positive attitude, having strong faith, and staying busy and active. Nancy is up every day watering her garden at 6 a.m. and says that having her two hands in the dirt is peaceful and therapeutic while also being invigorating. Watching the fruits of her labor manifest miraculously from the soil inspires and soothes her. “Gardening is a lot like life,” Nancy says, “it takes teamwork and patience.”
After a stroke and brain aneurism, Nancy decided to build a garden for herself to help her preserve her peace. She realized that she was at a turning point in her life where she was either going to succumb to depression and “dis-ease” or find a positive way to look at the world and her situation. 44
“Happiness is a choice!” Nancy says. She tries to be present and mindful, live life to the fullest and appreciate every minute of every day. Losing friends and loved ones serves as a stark reminder of how precious the time that we have here on this bountiful earth is, Nancy says. She wants to savor it as much as possible. The www.healthynewalbanymagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Angela Douglas
Nancy Creaney
