To sum this all up in one, single, apropos word: wisdom.
I’m so glad I found you here, Gary. I tried to help my dad become the Elder we needed in our family (Elder doesn’t equate to “just being old”—and I know you get this!). I consider it one of the most dignified and important honorifics to have bestowed upon another, that of Elder or Sage. I consider you one of my Elder guides—with every post, I learn more about myself.
Your guest editor, “S,” gave me a new and wonderful practice question that I think I need to add to my morning devotions: “What’s to become of me today?” I LOVE that!
She’s the best! I would not be here nor who I am without her by my side. And, at the moment, we are sharing a desk as well as a bed. Her desk is being repaired and should be returned this week. I am being repaired too via a visit to the dentist, another story for another time. Suffice to say, first time in my life, I have had a tooth pulled. Sheesh! Glad to have the expertise of Dr Oscar Rentana Alvarez. Thanks, Kert, for your generous comments and support. Grateful for your presence and your contributions.
A Kert “Double Bonus” comment: I just found your book on Amazon and have added it to my cart—I tend to read about books on Amazon and buy them from my local independent bookstore.
Or, I think it’s 5 bucks on Kindle. Royalties are piddling at this point and I would send you a free copy but mailing via postal service from Mexico takes long and costs more than the book.
I tried to be a kindle reader, but I need the printed book in my had to get the full aesthetic of it all.
I often wondered what royalties an author gets through the various ways of selling their books. I picture you as a guy that simply enjoyed the process of writing the thing and having it published just in its own right. That in and of itself must be satisfying.
I appreciate even the thought you’d send me a copy—I’ll buy one and plan on meeting up somewhere down the road, even in Mexico if it has to be, and get you to sign my copy!
Thanks. We would have a special day when you come visit in Mexico. San Miguel is a colonial city, full of art, history and culture, worth a visit anytime except May when it’s hotter than blue blazes. You’re right about my enjoying the process and seeing it in print, regardless of royalties. I don’t write for money, not here, or anywhere. In fact, I have a children’s book on the drawing board and a publisher driving me nuts wanting to see it.
That’s awesome! When the new book advances along the way, I’m sure you’ll be letting your Substack readership know so we can be on the lookout.
I did enjoy reading the little “author bio” blurb that was on the Amazon site. I need to go back into your archives to read more from you. I think you would have been a valued mentor of mine had we known each other during my own service as a public school teacher and principal.
We might have a conversation some day about the sad state of public education in the good ol' U.S. of A. and what options there are to reclaim it. One of my "heroes" in education was the late Ken Robinson and if you haven't seen his TedTalks or his illustrated "Changing the Paradigm" those are worth seeing and listening even when out of the trenches. Neil Postman, who wrote more than 30 books, had some good insights is into what's not working and why.
It’ll be no surprise to you to share I am (was, still am?) a HUGE fan and follower of both Ken Robinson AND Neil Postman. I would regularly share Robinson’s TEDTalks with staff and parents over the years—his humor is so infectious and his message incredibly powerful. And as for Postman, he maybe more than anyone, influenced my own personal philosophy on how to principal and parent in this age of social media. I have a few of his books and every other year or so, I still pull some down to re-read them. He’s an under-appreciated social and cultural critic whom I wished had a wider audience.
We seem to be incredibly alinged and resonant in our thinking. You just about have me looking into the cost of a plane ticket to Mexico—my passport is still current.
"...when I began to understand the importance of giving, of putting in more than I take out..." This, sir, is everything! I think of my dear mother, who lived to be 94 ( just barely). Like you at your age, she was still quite the dynamo, and frankly, it didn't really dawn on me that she would ever be old. Her last 10 months weren't ideal, but gosh if she didn't squeeze out all the juice up to then and a little beyond.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I'm not sure I think of myself as a "dynamo" although I do prefer dynamic, and organic, if that makes sense. I have not been"static" for very long nor very often in my life. Blessings on your dear mother, and mine who lived until 96. It was only her last 6 months that slowed her down until one morning when she did not wake up, a great way to leave, IMNSHO!
If circumstances warrant, we can choose. I know my mother chose, the night before she went to sleep via a conversation with her doc. Scott Nearing and a few others we knew chose VSED. Scott was 100 and after he died, Helen, his dear wife, wrote, “Leaving the Good Life.” There are also now 10 states and D.C. that have laws permitting medical assistance in dying.
Yes, of course. The Scott Nearings are relatively rare but I'm sure that is due, in part, to the fact that it is not an option presented with consistency. Culturally, we have a lot of opening up to do around end of life conversations. I'm with you, though!
Is end of life, how would you prefer to die worth digging into a little deeper? I would but I am careful and I am aware of some peoples’ fears and sensitivities around the topic, along with reluctance to talk about it out loud. Maybe there’s a way to just put it under the heading, end of life possibilities but then there is cancer, car accidents and suicides, all of which can be very painful.
Death is a subject many prefer to avoid completely. It takes a special kind of relationship and skill to have those conversations respectfully. We move them along as best we can, I guess.
Thanks! Always evolving, becoming, changing...the process of creating, not the creation, moving forward with more clarity and focus. Birthdays are always great, a sign that we're still here with this opportunity in front of us.
Hey Gary. Thank you for this. At 71 I don't often feel like a youngster when I speak with others...but with you....well! You inspire me and I love the thoughtful words you write, and contemplating the life you have led. I love Wendell Berry's writing and this is a gift I received from him some time ago that I put as part of my email signature. I meet in my work so many who get lost and feel so afraid, and these words from someone like him, and someone like you have been to that place and kept on walking, can be incredibly important.
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
We are definitely still becoming - and hopefully will continue to do so as we ground ourselves more and more into what is truly real and important - and discard more of the superficial nonsense that our world seems to think is so important.
To sum this all up in one, single, apropos word: wisdom.
I’m so glad I found you here, Gary. I tried to help my dad become the Elder we needed in our family (Elder doesn’t equate to “just being old”—and I know you get this!). I consider it one of the most dignified and important honorifics to have bestowed upon another, that of Elder or Sage. I consider you one of my Elder guides—with every post, I learn more about myself.
Your guest editor, “S,” gave me a new and wonderful practice question that I think I need to add to my morning devotions: “What’s to become of me today?” I LOVE that!
She’s the best! I would not be here nor who I am without her by my side. And, at the moment, we are sharing a desk as well as a bed. Her desk is being repaired and should be returned this week. I am being repaired too via a visit to the dentist, another story for another time. Suffice to say, first time in my life, I have had a tooth pulled. Sheesh! Glad to have the expertise of Dr Oscar Rentana Alvarez. Thanks, Kert, for your generous comments and support. Grateful for your presence and your contributions.
A Kert “Double Bonus” comment: I just found your book on Amazon and have added it to my cart—I tend to read about books on Amazon and buy them from my local independent bookstore.
Or, I think it’s 5 bucks on Kindle. Royalties are piddling at this point and I would send you a free copy but mailing via postal service from Mexico takes long and costs more than the book.
I tried to be a kindle reader, but I need the printed book in my had to get the full aesthetic of it all.
I often wondered what royalties an author gets through the various ways of selling their books. I picture you as a guy that simply enjoyed the process of writing the thing and having it published just in its own right. That in and of itself must be satisfying.
I appreciate even the thought you’d send me a copy—I’ll buy one and plan on meeting up somewhere down the road, even in Mexico if it has to be, and get you to sign my copy!
Thanks. We would have a special day when you come visit in Mexico. San Miguel is a colonial city, full of art, history and culture, worth a visit anytime except May when it’s hotter than blue blazes. You’re right about my enjoying the process and seeing it in print, regardless of royalties. I don’t write for money, not here, or anywhere. In fact, I have a children’s book on the drawing board and a publisher driving me nuts wanting to see it.
That’s awesome! When the new book advances along the way, I’m sure you’ll be letting your Substack readership know so we can be on the lookout.
I did enjoy reading the little “author bio” blurb that was on the Amazon site. I need to go back into your archives to read more from you. I think you would have been a valued mentor of mine had we known each other during my own service as a public school teacher and principal.
We might have a conversation some day about the sad state of public education in the good ol' U.S. of A. and what options there are to reclaim it. One of my "heroes" in education was the late Ken Robinson and if you haven't seen his TedTalks or his illustrated "Changing the Paradigm" those are worth seeing and listening even when out of the trenches. Neil Postman, who wrote more than 30 books, had some good insights is into what's not working and why.
It’ll be no surprise to you to share I am (was, still am?) a HUGE fan and follower of both Ken Robinson AND Neil Postman. I would regularly share Robinson’s TEDTalks with staff and parents over the years—his humor is so infectious and his message incredibly powerful. And as for Postman, he maybe more than anyone, influenced my own personal philosophy on how to principal and parent in this age of social media. I have a few of his books and every other year or so, I still pull some down to re-read them. He’s an under-appreciated social and cultural critic whom I wished had a wider audience.
We seem to be incredibly alinged and resonant in our thinking. You just about have me looking into the cost of a plane ticket to Mexico—my passport is still current.
"...when I began to understand the importance of giving, of putting in more than I take out..." This, sir, is everything! I think of my dear mother, who lived to be 94 ( just barely). Like you at your age, she was still quite the dynamo, and frankly, it didn't really dawn on me that she would ever be old. Her last 10 months weren't ideal, but gosh if she didn't squeeze out all the juice up to then and a little beyond.
May you become forever!
Thanks, Elizabeth. I'm not sure I think of myself as a "dynamo" although I do prefer dynamic, and organic, if that makes sense. I have not been"static" for very long nor very often in my life. Blessings on your dear mother, and mine who lived until 96. It was only her last 6 months that slowed her down until one morning when she did not wake up, a great way to leave, IMNSHO!
I think most people of advanced years would choose to go that way if they could. Heck any age, if you get to choose. Dynamic and organic it is! :)
If circumstances warrant, we can choose. I know my mother chose, the night before she went to sleep via a conversation with her doc. Scott Nearing and a few others we knew chose VSED. Scott was 100 and after he died, Helen, his dear wife, wrote, “Leaving the Good Life.” There are also now 10 states and D.C. that have laws permitting medical assistance in dying.
https://compassionandchoices.org/our-issues/vsed/
Yes, of course. The Scott Nearings are relatively rare but I'm sure that is due, in part, to the fact that it is not an option presented with consistency. Culturally, we have a lot of opening up to do around end of life conversations. I'm with you, though!
Is end of life, how would you prefer to die worth digging into a little deeper? I would but I am careful and I am aware of some peoples’ fears and sensitivities around the topic, along with reluctance to talk about it out loud. Maybe there’s a way to just put it under the heading, end of life possibilities but then there is cancer, car accidents and suicides, all of which can be very painful.
Death is a subject many prefer to avoid completely. It takes a special kind of relationship and skill to have those conversations respectfully. We move them along as best we can, I guess.
Happy you are still becoming, Gary! Hope your birthday was a great one!
Thanks! Always evolving, becoming, changing...the process of creating, not the creation, moving forward with more clarity and focus. Birthdays are always great, a sign that we're still here with this opportunity in front of us.
Hey Gary. Thank you for this. At 71 I don't often feel like a youngster when I speak with others...but with you....well! You inspire me and I love the thoughtful words you write, and contemplating the life you have led. I love Wendell Berry's writing and this is a gift I received from him some time ago that I put as part of my email signature. I meet in my work so many who get lost and feel so afraid, and these words from someone like him, and someone like you have been to that place and kept on walking, can be incredibly important.
“It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey."
Thank You Gary.
You are most welcome, Ian. Thank you for reading and commenting, much appreciated.
"We measure where we are by where we’ve been." I love this line, Gary!
So sincere! Thank you for sharing!
We are definitely still becoming - and hopefully will continue to do so as we ground ourselves more and more into what is truly real and important - and discard more of the superficial nonsense that our world seems to think is so important.