Camaraderie and Commitment at The Arts and Letters Club

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at the Literary Luncheon of The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto about You Could Live a Long Time: Are You Ready? The Club was founded over a century ago for people who love the arts and provides a strong emotional circle for many of its members. Events range from musical/dramatic productions and art exhibitions to improv and alternative performances. Good conversation and camaraderie are long-standing club traditions, as was clearly evident from the discussion after my talk. Here are a few snippets from the thought-provoking exchange of ideas. One man told us about the striking quality that had helped his mother age well: her genuine curiosity about life and other people. He finds it frustrating to watch her now as she faces increasing isolation with a mind that remains active and a body that is failing. A woman told us about her group of some two dozen friends who started out 20 years ago meeting regularly for Scottish country dancing. When they realized they “couldn’t keep the dancing up forever”,  they switched their focus to theatrical outings - first in the evenings and now at the matinees. Because the group has been adjusting their focus as they age, they’re still going strong. A former widower told us his story. He and his wife had retired to Prince Edward County but after 10 years enjoying life together there, she had died. His friends invited him on a cruise and, among the fellow passengers, he met his new love. His sweetheart explained that her life included The Arts and Letters Cluband they were a package deal. By accepting the challenge he says he was doubly blessed. He found both his new partner and the Club and they rest in his affections – in that order.