🎋Embracing the Golden Years-A Humorous Reflection🎋

I haven’t worried about Monday mornings on Sunday evenings for eighteen glorious years. That’s how long I’ve enjoyed retirement, my friend. I remember those days of yore when I’d wake up on Friday mornings, giddy with excitement for the final workday of the week. Ah, my plans for those Friday nights–my family and I were young, and life was always an adventure. Don’t get me wrong, I liked my job well enough, but it was always a means to an end, a way to provide for my loved ones so they could truly enjoy life.
My trusty motorcycle was my primary mode of transportation to the office. It allowed me to leave our car at home for my wife to use in emergencies. Plus, I just couldn’t stand the idea of her being cooped up at home all day without the freedom to come and go as she pleased. The genuine excitement came on Saturday mornings when I’d walk out the back door and enter my workshop. Hours would fly by as I tinkered away on projects that brought me pure joy. And let’s not forget the basketball court I built in the backyard–a 30′ x 30′ concrete oasis with spotlights that let us play well into the night. It quickly became the neighborhood’s favorite hangout spot for all the kids.
But before I knew it, Sunday evening would roll around, and I’d start dreading the workweek ahead. That cycle continued for a whopping 47 years until it reached a screeching halt in 2006. Now, I can only tell a weekend from the workweek if I don’t have doctor appointments, yoga classes, or scheduled walking trips. What a joy my life is, and I treasure it every day.
So, do I miss those bygone days, or am I happier now that my work life is over? Honestly, it’s neither. It’s just the natural progression of life. I’m determined to embrace whatever stage I’m in without pining for the past or longing for the future. My life has had its fair share of difficulties. Still, the wonderful moments have always balanced out the disappointments and tragedies. As Oprah Winfrey so eloquently put it, “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”
🎋The Enduring Bond of Brotherhood🎋
Someone once said, “Your brother is your first male friend in life. No one will ever understand your craziness like your brother…even if you don’t get together, or talk as much as you’d like, he always remains your friend. While people come and go in your life, your brother will always be in your heart for a lifetime.”
I was blessed with two brothers–one biological and the other my mother’s brother (technically my uncle). But he was always my brother, through and through. KD, my brother Jerry, and I grew up as the closest of friends, and we knew things about each other that no one else could ever fathom. They were my steadfast supporters and lifelong companions, and my heart still aches for them, even though they’ve been gone for nearly 20 years.
Both of them passed away in their mid-sixties, and I can’t help but wonder–what did I do that allowed me to live so much longer? Was it because I quit using tobacco, mostly eliminated alcohol, and did something healthy every single day? Or was it simply the luck of the draw? All I know is that I miss my brothers dearly, and I’m grateful that I have their photos scattered around my office, allowing their memories to flow through my mind and reminding me they are never forgotten.
As Tennessee Williams once said, “Snatching the eternal out of the desperately fleeting is the great magic trick of human existence.” I am eternally grateful for my time with my two brothers and the joy they brought into my life. Few people will be remembered a thousand years from now, but I must ensure that my beloved brothers are never forgotten during my lifetime.
🎋The Great Wealth Transfer and the Importance of Philanthropy🎋
Did you know that in 20 years, a whopping $90 trillion “great wealth transfer” will make millennials the wealthiest generation in history? Yup, that’s right–according to new studies, a massive windfall is about to drop into the laps of people born in the ’80s and ’90s. This shift in the power dynamic means that the younger generation will never have to go through the same personal growth process that my generation (the 40s and 50s) had to endure–the endless cycle of Learn, Commit, and Do.

But you know what? One goal of my generation was to instill in the younger folks the overriding need to be philanthropic, to give to those in need, and to do it regularly. My wife and I have prioritized that, and we’ve been doing it for years. Many may wait until they get old to give, so when does old age begin?
Some may think it starts at 70, but that’s no longer the reality, given our dramatically increased lifespan. Nowadays, we have emerging adulthood (18-25), young adulthood (25-45), middle adulthood (45-65), older adulthood (65-80), and then the “elderly” category, which is 80 and above.
At the ripe old age of 83, I fit snugly into that “elderly” group. However, I must confess that I’ve always considered “old” to be ten years older than my current age, so “old” is 93 for me. And let me tell you, with three great-grandchildren, I’m definitely old, regardless of my own personal rule. But you know what? My granddaughters have pledged to follow in our footsteps and help others as their financial situations improve. I’m confident that my grandsons will do the same. As Ann Landers so wisely said, “It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.”
So, my friend, as I sit here enjoying my golden years, surrounded by the memories of my beloved brothers and the promise of a new generation of philanthropists, I can’t help but feel a sense of contentment and gratitude. Life may have its trials, but it’s all about embracing the present and making the most of every moment.