Next Saturday will be my birthday. I am not mentioning this because I want a card or a gift or, heaven forfend, a slew of "Facebook" birthday greetings from the vast motley crew whom I have identified as my cyber-space friends and family. It is because I have begun to think about how time has played the bandit and seems to have stolen my youth and middle age and is leading me, slowly I hope, to the final threshold. But I digress.
I am hoping to go gracefully into my twilight years, and there are some things that I have already taken to heart and incorporated into my life. As I often do, I have a list.
1. Get your stuff in order. I am setting up an appointment with a family law professional to discuss the best way to make sure those family members and others whom I love will inherit my estate. I also want to leave some money to various charitable institutions like my church and alma mater. I want to get this done sooner rather than later, so I know it is taken care of.
2. Travel while you can. My Dad once said to me, "They call these the Golden Years, Ger; they lied." He also told me to travel while I could, and I do. Last year I went with a friend to Morocco...why?...because she asked me. This year I was asked to go to Turkey with a local cultural group; I will be paying my airfare and incidentals, so I am going...why?...because they asked me.
3. If you can afford it; go for the good seats in both the theater and on a plane. I think the best thing that has happened to the airline industry is the introduction of "Economy Plus" seating. It is well worth the extra cash to be comfortable. In the theater balcony seats just don't cut it anymore. I do not want to climb stairs to enjoy myself. The orchestra is looking good to me.
4. Don't volunteer for anything you don't really want to do. You may be qualified to lead the committee to evaluate Sunday School material, but if you really do not want to do it, don't volunteer. The word "NO" exists for a reason. Use it.
5. You don't have to follow fads or watch the hottest new show. There is nothing new under the entertainment "sun"...watch what you like and when you want to. Oh, the joy of Netflix (Thank you, Tara Swanson).
6.Volunteer your time for causes and things you feel are important: I still work at the local Soup Kitchen, sit on the Board of Directors of the Association for Episcopal Deacons, attend meetings and do work for the Staten Hunger Taskforce, work part-time for the NYC Department of Education doing adult learning and certification, and help out on our Grow to Give group, a local group that works with home gardeners, community gardeners and Soup Kitchens/Pantries that distribute excess local produce to hungry families on Staten Island. I also write grants for my church and oversee an afterschool music program that includes steel drums, a traditional church children's choir and a ukulele group....I kid you not. I am having fun.
7. Understand that life is short, and you only get one go around. This is important.
8. Family is paramount...Know that and you know everything.
I have a new appreciation for this song sung by Maurice Chevalier from the movie "Gigi"...one of my Dad's favorite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RZEj7t1EaA
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