Talking to my friends that are well along the road, shall we say to Act #3, also known as the “Golden Years” of their lives, the topic of conversation often turns to, “What can we do that is worthwhile”, in our remaining years. We looked forward to retirement and now we have it. We’re still alive, healthy and bored. Most of us travel for a while but can only be unproductive so long before we start wondering why we are here.

If you create an honest list of the things you can still do, at least semi-competently, it will be a lot shorter than the one you could have made at the age of 45, but it will still be a list. You still have options. Looking at the list, rank them in order to which ones you would most like to be involved in now, and go for it.

I had to do this at age 80 when my wife lost her fight with cancer. The plans we had made together were now non-existent. For about a year I was at a loss as to where I was going or what I would do if I got there. I made a list. It was short. The item on the top was to stay in contact with my family as much as possible. Our pandemic has made that hard but I do the best I can.

The second on the list was to write. I have published three books so far and several short ones. I now have a path. I’m not a great writer but it’s OK; I’m not great at anything anymore, however, I am a happy person that knows he has something to do. I hope my readers find the tips I sneak in on being positive in all you do and to learn from everything you do to be worthwhile.

I love being a grandpa and a great-grandpa. I have had the joy of watching my 11 grandchildren grow into strong upright individuals, all very different and that makes each one of them very special. I would like to share what they have become as adults. Please tolerate an old man as he brags a little. Some of their occupations include lab technician manager, urban tree specialist, computer programmer, tattoo artist, hair stylist, engineers – good jobs in varied fields. The only problem is they are now adults and not inclined to sit on my lap. But it’s OK because they have given me, so far, nine great-grandchildren to take their places.

I love being the elder in my family. I get to love them all and have no responsibility. I used to help them do things. Now they all are there to help me do things.

I do my best to be like Clint Eastwood. When he was asked how he kept so active at age 88, he said, “I shut the door tight and don’t let the old man in.” Keep your door closed, remember that getting old will happen, if you are lucky, but being old is a mental state of mind. Don’t let it happen to you.