Your Summer Musings

Summer has brought more terrific feedback. Here is a sample:

(Bill) "Your enlightening book helped me understand what is occurring to me.  I will be 65 in a month.  I was looking at retiring as soon as I pay off a mortgage.  Your book helped me recognize that even if I do that, I have to do a lot more.  I plan on doing part time consulting, and training.  Also with no children, my wife and I have to make more friends and associate with younger people more.  Thank you for your very helpful and sage advise."

(Ginny) "Your book is full of valuable advice and confirms the conviction I always held, that anyone leaving the workforce must participate in interests before retiring, remain connected with people and keep insatiably curious about learning.  My mother died many years ago from cancer at the age of 55.  Because of that, my feeling has been since my twenties "Do what you can, when you can because you don't know what tomorrow will bring."  My mother's father who LOVED people and who was incredibly sociable was going on 94 when he died! There is an amazing lady who works in one of our stores here; she loves her customers; they love her and in September she is turning 86!!  She's on her feet for hours at the cash either two or three days a week - a wonderful example of someone active, so connected with people and who is obviously a happy person."

And this response from a friend made me howl with laughter:

"I have your book, surveyed it quickly, and discovered to my horror that I am doing perfectly the inverse of everything you and your group of elders wisely recommend, living instead to Edna St. Vincent Millay's verse:

My candle burns at both ends,

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends, 

It gives a lovely light.

Alas, my sojourn through Elderworld promises to be a descent into hell itself, 'nasty brutish and short', unless I substantially mend my ways." 

Thanks to all. Keep those e-mails and letters coming.