A phenomenological hermeneutic analysis of interviews with 12 persons aged between 95 and 103 years was performed to uncover the meaning of the lived experience of being oldest old. Two themes were formulated, namely, being in stillness and in movement, which involves being in one's aged body, unable to move, and being in the stillness of the inner person occupied with an inner movement of remembering, and reconciling with, life; and being at the threshold and being ready to let go, which implies being at peace with God and feeling confidence despite the anxiety of dying. A comprehensive understanding was formulated based on Gabriel Marcel's thoughts on hope, in terms of which, to be oldest old means living in hope and being on the move. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]