BEGINNING CHAPTER 88

FINISHING ONE, STARTING ANOTHER

We measure where we are by where we’ve been. The journey, the roads we’ve taken, the work we’ve done, or are still doing, the relationships with others, where we have lived, the changes we have made and are still making, and pausing, to consider what’s next.  Some of us have come farther than others and are fortunate to still be racking up the miles, or in this case, the years, one after another. 

Back in March I wrote a post, and I don’t remember what prompted it, perhaps reading something from someone else. That’s how it happens for me. I reviewed “This Version of Me” and I thought the last paragraph is worth sharing again in the context of another year.  Not another year since March but another year of living, having finished Chapter 87.

“This version of me is based on what I see and record as my behaviors now, some the same over time, and others quite different.  This version of me includes feedback and criticism from others that have helped me enormously.  This version of me is grateful for wonderful mentors who helped light my path along the way. This version of me is content with me and eager to see the next version. A big thanks to S, to my family, my friends, and to you, dear readers and responders. This gift of time is precious.  Let’s make the most of it with gratitude for the gift.”

Completing 87 years has been accomplished with the help and support of many along the way, from parents early on, from teachers and professors, from colleagues in professional, good work, from friends and from a loving, caring family.  I cannot point to one specific highlight that shines above others although there have been special occasions and moments along the way. I documented some of those in a book, “Seven Decades: A Learning Memoir” and have added another decade since then. 

The gifts I have received over these many years in relationships have enriched my life beyond anything I could have imagined when I began to understand the importance of giving, of putting in more than I take out, of being kind and considerate, of being honest, authentic and making connections with other like-minded souls. I have received the benefits of highly skilled, creative people in all walks of life. I call it blessed by Grace, love and mercy freely given. It was not free in the world of health care.

I believe that it’s not so much about what is past and done, for reference, as it is about now and what might be next.  Starting Chapter 88 and saying that out loud is astonishing. Eight years ago, I did not expect I would still be around now, kicking the can down the road, active and alert, physically mobile without assistance, mentally capable to hold and express a thought or a feeling and typing on a QWERTY keyboard on a newly acquired, 15” Macbook Air.  Who needs a new computer at this stage? Regardless, thanks to S. for the birthday gift. We were staying in Greenwich Village last week in NYC and walked to the Apple Store on Prince Street in SOHO. That was Apple’s first store in New York and Steve, as in Jobs, took great pride in it.

For those who may not know, S. is Susan (Susie) my life partner and wife for the past 28 years. She’s the one who said to me one day, “What’s to become of us?”  We’re working on that, day after day, week after week and on we go.  Our big move last year was from AZ to Mexico where we live in a quiet, mostly ex-pat community, 8 miles (15km)  north of San Miguel de Allende in the state of Guanajuato.

Rancho Los Labradores is where you will find us most of the time.

I could continue with more reflections on what means the most to me having come this far. Maybe later, if anyone is really interested.  I am more interested in what is possible in this next chapter.  I will keep on trying to become a better writer. I will challenge myself to keep learning, changing and evolving. I will keep in touch with a loving family, special friends and with myself as long as I am able.  I will continue to speak up for equity, diversity, inclusion, justice and peace.  I will align myself with others who are interested in helping to protect and preserve the earth. I will continue to oppose forces that divide and destroy.

Yesterday, I received this gift from Wendell Berry via gratefulness.org

“I believe that the world was created and approved by love, that it subsists, coheres, and endures by love, and that, insofar as it is redeemable, it can be redeemed only by love.”  

And this gift: “…And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

*Editorial comment:  “Yes, I did say to him at some point in our numerous moves: ‘What’s to become of us?’  I think Gary took it as a negative.  I, on the other hand, took it as a positive”.   

Since I, Gary, have the final word here regarding this household debate, I will tell you, as I told S, it was a great question.  We are still becoming!