I’ve settled on resilience as my word for 2023 — Why did I settle on the word, Resilience? Because I’ve learned to grow in my ability to accept change, now that I’m eighty years old. So, in all my tomorrows, change is the name of the game. Resilience is the fortitude to bounce back from challenges. True resilience is knowing…

It is a journey, not a destination — The Declaration of Independence assures United States citizens of the pursuit of happiness. We are given the right to join in the journey of being happy. What is happiness? Happiness is more than simply a positive mood. It is a state of well-being. …

This one thing will get you through any surgery fine — It takes 15 minutes in surgery, but weeks of waiting for vision improvement. That’s the crazy thing. But what gets you through is, patience. You’re going to need it amid the uncertainty. It’s the same, only different The cataract surgery I now have is like the cochlear implant surgery I had three years ago. Ah, yes, the challenges of aging continue to knock on my door.

It’s true, the more laid back you are, the easier life becomes — It’s mid-afternoon at The Armstrong’s Old Folks Home. A very private estate nestled on a sprawling half-acre of beautifully maintained gardens. I kid you not. Well, I may be going just a little overboard on my description. Even so, one creature comfort I enjoy is my recliner. I sit and…

I decided to test my feelings before acting on them, which was one of my best decisions. — You should not believe your conscience. And your feelings. More than the word which the Lord who receives sinners preaches to you. — Martin Luther. I have a friend whose feelings kept driving her to do something, thinking it would free her from past hurts. …

Do you know what it is like to be alone? — The other evening, friends came for a visit. She stayed with my wife while her husband took me out for dinner. Let me back up here a little. When I say it gets lonely sometimes, I’m not talking about enjoying my wife’s company. …

If I were to ask, what’s it like being eighty, what would your answer be? — 1. The years pile up fast, but the months are slow. How’d I get this old so soon? It’s easy; I keep waking up each morning. 2. We enjoy the moments with family and friends more. Every visit is meaningful. My mother died at fifty-six. Oh, I would have loved…

Bumps and bruises on being eighty — In this last year, I participated in four of my siblings’ funerals. I became my spouse’s full-time caregiver. Age-wise, I became an octogenarian. And yes, I had a bout with Covid-19. Other than that, all is well. Resilience has kept my head above water Resilience is the hack, allowing the flexibility to recover from past adversities. Jean…

The many shades of Christmas past and present — When you’re in your 80s, holidays are different. Yes, for us, Christmas has grown smaller. The truth is I have as well. On my path in the last few years, I’ve lost more than two inches in height. Just the beginning of things getting different. Everything gets smaller as we…