I AM 82 Years Old, Now What?
All my life since I was a young man, I have been working my way towards the end point of life. The older I have become the closer it also becomes. Next month I will be 82, one of those born in the 1940"s, sometimes called the "in between generation". Since my retirement in 2002 and then working under contract as a Technical Consultant for 10 years which ended in 2015, I had compiled about 46 years of service. At that point I was 73 years old.
During the interim period following my retirement up until just recently I was writing a work career and personal history titled: "Avoidance - A Lifetime Memoir in Five Parts". This was a labor of work and love of about 700 pages. After completing the memoir earlier this year, printed one copy and created a PDF version for sharing with a selected few (3). That project is now finished and have begun writing a companion piece of fiction titled: "A Parallel Life - Ed's Alternate Journey" which is coming along nicely. However, there is no estimated completion date as is an ongoing story.
My next order of business is writing my own obituary. That way it will contain what I would hope others would have said about me and who knew me well. It is in draft form and a "Living Document". After that, planning my Memorial Service, assuming those I leave behind will have one for me. Who better than myself to indicate what the major components such as Scripture and Music should be included. Of course I would also include a Personal Goodbye Message to all those who would attend. Cremation will take place and disposition of ashes as yet to be decided. Those are things which are on my "list" as have always been someone who tried to ensure things were completed via my personal schedule.
Yes, I still do things as am able and try to keep busy. This includes outside work maintaining a pleasant appearing yard, grass properly mowed, trimming done as needed. Participate in household duties to assist as much as possible for a welcoming home. My dog Toby and I go for a walk each day, rain or shine (not much snow here). Have always enjoyed my alone time and doing things of my choosing. However, I do enjoy being busy which means to me doing things I enjoy, if still able, but not necessarily partnering with others participating in things for which I do not have an interest. At times I do go along with others, trying to enjoy myself but sometimes find it difficult with my reduced energy level.
To date I have filled my time or concluded events which I enjoy and finding others to fill the void are becoming more difficult. I receive many suggestions of new things to do, but I typically do not have an interest in them. Additionally, on more of my days I enjoy the comforts of home and being retired, being with my spouse, my dog and my acquaintances, few that they may be. Most days I am happy with my limited world and content, except when I wonder what is next, now what should I be doing, and of course how much time do I have to do it?
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