I feel the same. I know what I want out of life, and while I maintain a position of general agnosticism as to the state of the nation I can certainly discern trends and offer some recommendations. Teaching, writing, travelling, training... all of these activities constitute my life now. I think it's good to remember that, while we face some serious social challenges, we are lucky to be alive now and lucky to be Americans. Unlike poverty or war or chaos, all of our problems CAN be addressed by living good lives, tending to family, and strengthening our communities.
This is such an uplifting story Adam. I am so glad you are doing what makes sense to you. I remember when I turned 42, it seemed like it was the age where I started to connect some of the dots in my life, probably the first time I the time to start reflecting as my daughter was almost 20 at the time. Now at age 59, and with RA, there are many days in which I can’t do basic things like use my hands and need a walker or a cane. I can easily imagine how your 90 year old friend felt to have someone help and be happy about it. I believe in life, it’s a true blessing to follow what we believe is God’s path for us. You might have been that lady’s miracle. Miracles can happen. God bless.
It’s good that you had this midlife clarity. I’ve had it too, but now I’m on a new chapter of “post retirement” clarity and it’s a little different, but having gone through the midlife, it helps you get to the “end of life” a little free, knowing what you can and can’t do, and being vulnerable enough to ask for help when you need it. and that’s where I sit at 72 😊 Happy for you to have this avenue to share your gifts and talents with people who need you and grateful that you can get under the desk😳. about 10 years ago, I tried that, cause I could do it , I was savvy enough, but I got under the desk and oops 😬 it was hard to get out 😳so bless your heart. Thank you for doing what you do.😇
After caring for both my mother and father (they were not together) in their final years my advice to older people with grown children is to move where they are when you begin to reach advanced old age(if they agree). While we all want to be the vigorous 95-year-old who dies peacefully while asleep after a day on the ski slopes, most of us will not be this person. Give your child(ren) the gift of being 20 minutes away instead of 200 or 2000 miles away. You won’t need hiking trails or pickleball as much as they will need not to have get on a plane in an emergency. I don’t have kids, so my options are the kindness of strangers or, at a certain point, a nice suicide in Switzerland.
Yes, spending time with the institution-bound elderly will make you grateful for every blessing, even the most mundane. I’m visiting a friend, age 81, who’s been in nursing rehab for months. She broke her hip, then ampullary cancer (bile ducts of the liver) was discovered/operated on.
Keep bringing your skills, your smiles, your warmth in there. It’s the light of Christ you can bring and you’ll get it from people there, too.
Great article. I’ve often seen that people in “the prime of life” tend to dismiss children and the elderly, unless there’s something they want to gain from them. And it is sad and shortsighted. We all have areas of thought that we avoid, like foreign countries that scare us a bit. Our future is the scariest country of all but we will be forced to go there. Some people do prepare a bit for retirement, and some think ahead regarding family issues. But few want to consider what happens after death. They would rather remain ignorant and just comfort themselves with platitudes- (“It will be alright”) or casual assumptions (“There’s nothing after death.”). And yet this most crucial question of all determines the value of humans and their deeds- “Who is God?” Because most people live like THEY are God, and if they do consider that Someone exists who created them, they sit in judgment of Him, in all their ill-informed audacity. Pride is surely the mother of all sins.
I was blessed (though I didn’t see it that way at the time) with a lot of time to think about the meaning of life when I was young. I came, alone, to my teen years and pondered my choices and their consequences. I asked the big questions- “Is there a God”, “What is the meaning of life?”, “What is love?”, and “Is the Bible true?”. The answers I found have been a solid foundation for a blessed life.
But you know it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of the world and forget what is important! People are important. God is most important. Thanks for the reminder!
Happy early birthday Adam! I just turned 42 myself, the 2nd of this month. My father was just in the hospital for an aortic valve replacement and a re-admission shortly thereafter due to too low blood pressure and falling and hitting his head. At 80, with these issues, it’s becoming more clear that my time with him is limited and I need to spend as much time with him as I can.
In fact, I will be helping him with some tech stuff tomorrow! Thank you for this post, and providing an example of how we can all tune into our humanity in an increasingly AI and tech-focused world.
This is absolutely WONDERFUL! You are to be commended for doing this. Your kindnesses and help for these people who cannot do it for themselves will return to you tenfold. God bless you for this very important work that you are doing.
I was just thinking about the tech bro billionaire whose post reveals someone bitter with oppressor/oppressed grievances and then your post pops up. I have a feeling I know which writer is happier. God Bless. And may your future include many grandchildren living close by.
I feel the same. I know what I want out of life, and while I maintain a position of general agnosticism as to the state of the nation I can certainly discern trends and offer some recommendations. Teaching, writing, travelling, training... all of these activities constitute my life now. I think it's good to remember that, while we face some serious social challenges, we are lucky to be alive now and lucky to be Americans. Unlike poverty or war or chaos, all of our problems CAN be addressed by living good lives, tending to family, and strengthening our communities.
It doesn't get much better than that.
https://jmpolemic.substack.com/p/go-south-young-man
Amen
This is such an uplifting story Adam. I am so glad you are doing what makes sense to you. I remember when I turned 42, it seemed like it was the age where I started to connect some of the dots in my life, probably the first time I the time to start reflecting as my daughter was almost 20 at the time. Now at age 59, and with RA, there are many days in which I can’t do basic things like use my hands and need a walker or a cane. I can easily imagine how your 90 year old friend felt to have someone help and be happy about it. I believe in life, it’s a true blessing to follow what we believe is God’s path for us. You might have been that lady’s miracle. Miracles can happen. God bless.
Thank you so much
I’m looking forward to your visit… my computer needs your attention…. lol
It’s good that you had this midlife clarity. I’ve had it too, but now I’m on a new chapter of “post retirement” clarity and it’s a little different, but having gone through the midlife, it helps you get to the “end of life” a little free, knowing what you can and can’t do, and being vulnerable enough to ask for help when you need it. and that’s where I sit at 72 😊 Happy for you to have this avenue to share your gifts and talents with people who need you and grateful that you can get under the desk😳. about 10 years ago, I tried that, cause I could do it , I was savvy enough, but I got under the desk and oops 😬 it was hard to get out 😳so bless your heart. Thank you for doing what you do.😇
After caring for both my mother and father (they were not together) in their final years my advice to older people with grown children is to move where they are when you begin to reach advanced old age(if they agree). While we all want to be the vigorous 95-year-old who dies peacefully while asleep after a day on the ski slopes, most of us will not be this person. Give your child(ren) the gift of being 20 minutes away instead of 200 or 2000 miles away. You won’t need hiking trails or pickleball as much as they will need not to have get on a plane in an emergency. I don’t have kids, so my options are the kindness of strangers or, at a certain point, a nice suicide in Switzerland.
Yes, spending time with the institution-bound elderly will make you grateful for every blessing, even the most mundane. I’m visiting a friend, age 81, who’s been in nursing rehab for months. She broke her hip, then ampullary cancer (bile ducts of the liver) was discovered/operated on.
Keep bringing your skills, your smiles, your warmth in there. It’s the light of Christ you can bring and you’ll get it from people there, too.
Thank you and Amen.
Great article. I’ve often seen that people in “the prime of life” tend to dismiss children and the elderly, unless there’s something they want to gain from them. And it is sad and shortsighted. We all have areas of thought that we avoid, like foreign countries that scare us a bit. Our future is the scariest country of all but we will be forced to go there. Some people do prepare a bit for retirement, and some think ahead regarding family issues. But few want to consider what happens after death. They would rather remain ignorant and just comfort themselves with platitudes- (“It will be alright”) or casual assumptions (“There’s nothing after death.”). And yet this most crucial question of all determines the value of humans and their deeds- “Who is God?” Because most people live like THEY are God, and if they do consider that Someone exists who created them, they sit in judgment of Him, in all their ill-informed audacity. Pride is surely the mother of all sins.
I was blessed (though I didn’t see it that way at the time) with a lot of time to think about the meaning of life when I was young. I came, alone, to my teen years and pondered my choices and their consequences. I asked the big questions- “Is there a God”, “What is the meaning of life?”, “What is love?”, and “Is the Bible true?”. The answers I found have been a solid foundation for a blessed life.
But you know it is easy to get caught up in the busyness of the world and forget what is important! People are important. God is most important. Thanks for the reminder!
Happy early birthday Adam! I just turned 42 myself, the 2nd of this month. My father was just in the hospital for an aortic valve replacement and a re-admission shortly thereafter due to too low blood pressure and falling and hitting his head. At 80, with these issues, it’s becoming more clear that my time with him is limited and I need to spend as much time with him as I can.
In fact, I will be helping him with some tech stuff tomorrow! Thank you for this post, and providing an example of how we can all tune into our humanity in an increasingly AI and tech-focused world.
Happy belated birthday. Every day is precious. God bless you and your family.
What a beautiful essay.
You nailed it. God bless you.
Welcome to 42! It's a portentious age. :). https://lorendean.substack.com/p/two-moments-that-make-a-man
My building needs someone like you!
This is absolutely WONDERFUL! You are to be commended for doing this. Your kindnesses and help for these people who cannot do it for themselves will return to you tenfold. God bless you for this very important work that you are doing.
Thank you Joanne
I was just thinking about the tech bro billionaire whose post reveals someone bitter with oppressor/oppressed grievances and then your post pops up. I have a feeling I know which writer is happier. God Bless. And may your future include many grandchildren living close by.
Thank you so much.
I love this post!
Thank you