Many of us, perhaps nearly 50% of those engaged in the election a month ago, have retreated, gone into hibernation or simply done whatever we can to avoid difficult political conversations.
Personally, I’m looking back at my decision 57 years ago to legally immigrate to this country. I have never regretted that decision, although 1968 was a year that changed everything just as I arrived, and 2025 may become another such marker.
But, then again, our world has become a vastly different and dangerous place for so many of us.
As a 23-year-old in 1968, I was incredibly naive. President Reagan had yet to echo the words from John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, identifying our country as a shining city upon a hill in his 1989 farewell address.
Yet, I soon became convinced that, regardless of our troubled history, this was the place to be. Now, on the verge of becoming an octogenarian, and after feeling compelled to defend my political positions, better informed and sophisticated, though currently just as ineffective, I’m left to exhale and relax. A friend of mine put it succinctly: “The sun came up this morning, we’ll be OK.”
Therefore, I offer “Ten Commandments for Seniors” recently sent to me by a friend. Enjoy:
- Talk to yourself. There are times you need expert advice.
- “In Style” are the clothes that still fit.
- You don’t need anger management. You need people to stop pissing you off.
- Your people skills are fine. It’s your tolerance for idiots that needs work.
- The biggest lie you tell yourself is: “I don’t need to write that down. I’ll remember it.”
- “On Time” is when you get there.
- You’re noticing people your own age are so much older than you.
- Age has slowed you down, but it hasn’t shut you up.
- You still haven’t learned to act your age, and hope you never will.
- “One for the road” means peeing before you leave the house.
Happy Holidays!
