Why I Believe Dick Van Dyke Made it to 100

 

Like a great many people, I am delighted that Dick Van Dyke reached his 100th birthday today. 

In honor of the occasion, I went to AMC Boston Common to attend a screening of Dick Van Dyke 100th Celebration. The documentary was made some years ago as many of the interviewees honoring Van Dyke are no longer with us - Chita Rivera, Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam and Betty White. 

Yet whether dead or living their words matter all the same. The documentary focused mainly on his life growing up in Danville, Illinois and what the town still means to him. Of course, it covered the major parts of his career - his work with CBS radio and TV, becoming a Broadway star with Bye-Bye Birdie, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Comic, Diagnosis Murder, A Night at the Museum along with his cameo in Mary Poppins Returns when he was a mere lad of 92.

I am heartened to hear that Van Dyke wants to go on living and that being 100 "isn't enough." A little over a year ago, Van Dyke mused, "Fortunately, I won't be around to experience the four years," of the next Trump presidency. We can only hope that Van Dyke outlives the second Trump presidency.

And there is good reason to hope. "I still try to dance," said Van Dyke in a recent interview.

This is why I believe Dick Van Dyke made it to 100. He still moves around. It might not be as easy, but he still works out thrice a week. Of course, having a 54-year-old wife and regularly interacting with younger people certainly keeps him moving. He has things to do.

All things come to an end, but Dick Van Dyke still has a step left in him. There are still steps in time to take.

With that, I wish Dick Van Dyke a happy 100th birthday and hope there is more to come.