Life, even in old age, is an unfinished book with stories that are written, being written with more to come. These we have no control over. Some pages fly past, and others impact us enough to alter who we are. Much of life is serendipitous; unexpected events bring about unexpected results that sometimes take us in wholly new directions. While we follow others as we would a GPS leading us to a destination.
I firmly believe that good and bad accidents make up our lives. What we do and who we are result from a series of events, certain of which make our life what it is. My being color blind kept me out of a prestigious Navy program. Lenette’s interest in my camp’s philosophy resulted in a love for 69-plus years and continuing. A drunk led me to Camp Shasta. Lenette’s dream led us to Las Vegas and our creating a miracle children’s program. These and so many other serendipitous events brought people who entered and left our lives which affected our change and growth.
As a student of “being and becoming,” I am also the subject’s teacher. And thanks to a love of reading, research, many incredible experiences, and wonderful people, including Lenette and many others, I believe I am still growing. Imagine being 96 and still learning! I know this is doable by all who view aging as a special time in life.
This is not a time to “give up” and wait to die, but a time to learn new games and crafts, to play poker and bridge as never before. It’s a time to make new friends and to be part of a community. It is an opportunity to socialize with as many people as time and situations allow.
Opportunity!—Now, not at a time to come—Now is all we have
Sy
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