Letters to the Editor
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"Having just turned 50, I've pretty much always taken the side of the twenty-somethings"
Yeah, and I'll bet they care, you ancient old git!
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boomer this, boomer that
It's the new Nigger. It's always a pejorative.
A human being has absolutely no control over when they were born, where they were born, or what race they are.
How incredibly arrogant and contemptible you are.
And by the way, what "generation" are you? It's all bullshit.
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Another way to categorize the responses to Gary's piece
is according to their openness to someone else's expression of loss. Generational differences aside, our culture doesn't really encourage that sort of thing. So, in addition to appreciating all of those letter writers who were willing to express a bit of compassion, I am also more inclined than I might have been to give Gary credit just for ignoring the convention that says you should just suck it up, and shut up. Of course, eventually, we all have to do that, but it works better if you've grieved a little bit first.
Gary grieves for his failing knees-- not something to sneeze at, when you consider how much work they do every day and how much we all really depend on them.
At almost the same age, I still sometimes grieve for all of the foods I can never eat again, after my body revolted in my 40's and said: "No more wheat or dairy for you!" (Later, it was no more soy, either.) Doesn't sound like a big deal, until you consider how many foods-- mostly the pleasurable ones-- I can no longer eat.
Fortunately for me, my grandson understands the significance of my being denied foods like ice cream, even while he is eating it. Unlike others, he doesn't start listing all of the other things (not that many, really) that I can eat instead. He knows they're not as good. He also thinks it was a good thing that I ate as much ice cream as I did-- a lot-- when I was younger.
So, Gary, I think you need some grandchildren. They won't grieve or encourage you to grieve, either, but they'll constantly amuse you with their perspective. I know it's counter-intuitive these days to encourage your children to have children while they're still young, but honestly, that's the only time our bodies and psyches are really prepared for how much work it will be. Besides, you'll be able to help them out.
(Just pray to your god that you get at least one grandchild with a wicked sense of humor! It makes all the difference.)
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"My" Life
At fifty where's my life?
Laughing, he invents another game
I am glad to watch
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Appreciated Your Article
For most people, that nauseating realization that your life will in fact, end, comes around the time you feel yourself at the "halfway there" point. This is not a "Boomer" invention-- nor is talk about aging, and the inevitability of death. I was especially interested in Mr. Kamiya's suggestion that being affected by life-- as opposed to controlling so much of it, (piling up life experiences), was a path to wisdom and a certain satisfaction. Maybe the key is a balanced approach to - yes, achieving some goals that make you feel you've pulled your weight, and left behind something good-- and allowing yourself to step out into the unkown, be less rigid, and less in control. Lots to think about-- thank you.
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Enjoying the good life.
I set the stage of this note by saying I am approaching 72. Life is a adventure. As my grandfather told me, it's like a great train ride ... you peer out the window and it passes by, sometimes there are good things and sometimes painful. But the train keeps moving forward toward new adventures.
I decided early in life that I did not want to reach the latter years of my life and kick myself because I did not have the courage to do what I really wanted to do. And I have led my life that way, and encourage others to do the same. For each of us, our dreams are different, so there is no single template to adopt. It for each to choose.
For me, I am hopefully going to have my 50th wedding anniversary next year. My wife and I are great pals. We raised two children, and lost one at 17. Life is not without pain. And we have three wonderful grandchildren. I have travelled thoughout the world, with my
wife and children, throughout my life. And as a whole, it has been a great life.
I could go on about history. However, fdddwhat is important is what am I going to do today and tomorrow. I am going to work today. I have my own business that I run from my home. And I have no intention of stopping work. Why work? Well, I interact with people every day, I use my brain, I get out in my car, and attend meetings, I do creative things. Do I work as hard as I have in the past..no. But by choice. I like taking a day off, spending the day with my wife, or reading, or watching CSPAN. So I have thinning grey hair, so what? So I don't lift heavy objects. No problem.
Being old is a function of how much life is left. One is old if they are 14 and die at 15, only one year left. Or one may be approaching 72 and have 30 years to go and be young. So I don't know if I am old -- nor does anyone. My advise is to remember that life is in front of each of us, and for most of us, there are choices. When one chooses one way, it is also a choice to not do any of the other choices that are available. So choose wisely, and if you do make a poor choice from time to time, remember that each day allows you to a make another choice.
Jr
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It all works out
It's okay, Gary. You will make it, at your own pace. I'll be 70 on my next birthday, and it probably took me ten years to come to terms with the thought that there are things I'll never do again, yet to realize that there are also first-time experiences that still await me. I have had a good life so far, and although I know there aren't nearly as many good years ahead of me as behind, I'm grateful for every minute. Yes, we all know that we are going to die, but it takes a while before we really believe it. Don't envy the young--eventually they too will grow old...just not right now.