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Episode 912 Making the Most of It
This is Retirement Talk. I’m Del Lowery.
I’ve entitled this episode, “Making the Most of It”.
“All my kids are senior citizens”, Eileen said. “I still worry about them," she added. We laughed. My mother used to say no matter how old they are. They’re still your kids and since they’re your kids, you worry about them. Eileen is 92. My mother was 92 when she died. I wonder if I’ll still be worried about my kids when and if I reach 92. It seems like we ought to give up on that one at some point. This week my wife and I drove down to Seattle to visit Eileen Allen. She is the author of a book I have mentioned in this podcast before entitled, “I like being old”. I had written her a letter after reading her book. I think it’s the first time I have ever written a letter to an author after reading their book. I told her it was one of the very best books I have ever read that related to philosophy in a unique way.
Eileen‘s book is not a rational or theoretical argument for how we should live our life, but it is an example of it. She doesn’t talk about Socrates, but by example we see Socrates is basic teaching. The unexamined life is not worth living put into practice. Eileen looks at everything very closely.
She stood in front of the elevator doors as we emerged on her floor in the retirement living center in which she lives. She was nattily dressed and leaning just a bit on a beautiful cane. She smiled and warmly welcomed us. We sat in her comfortable and orderly condo gazing out across Green Lake reflecting the fall colors. She raved about the view. Though she is almost completely blind she knew what was out there. The condo had been furnished with care. We talked of her book and her life, and how she seemed to have made the best of every situation or opportunity.
She didn’t start college until age 34 then she stayed with it through her masters degree and a lifetime career teaching at the college level. Her area of expertise was early childhood development. She published several books on the subject of which two are just being released again. In their seventh printing she still gets royalties. She lost her hearing and tried hearing aids. They didn’t work. Everything was a mumble of sounds. She followed the advice of the audiologist and left them in place all of her waking hours. Yes, it was difficult, but it was worth it. “I learned to make sense from the sounds and can hear well enough to carry on a conversation. don’t you think”, she says with a chuckle? “The worst thing was when my vision went. I couldn’t read books. How could I live without books? I’ve been reading all my life”, She said. “Then someone asked me if I had ever memorized poetry.” I said, “I can’t memorize poetry. I never have”.Not one to ignore an idea she did start to memorize poetry. And she is still memorizing poems. Towards the end of our lunch and right before we left, she said I have to share a poem with you. She launched into the recitation of this poem. It was absolutely spellbinding. Brenda and I kept leaning forward as the word picture she painted unfolded before us. She was completely immersed in the presentation. What a moment. When her vision started to go, she hung up her car keys quickly. It turned into a blessing. She said, Everyone wanted to give me rides to places: to the stores, to lunch, to dinner, to church, even my cabin and that is out in the bush. They take me there and then they are entitled to use it when they wish. It works out well. I've made a lot of new friends since I gave up driving.
Eileen affirms whatever life has had to offer her. This is what makes her book so philosophical; she takes, whatever comes, accepts it, and tries to make it work for her. At ninety when she could no longer get to the pool for swimming she started to walk for exercise. When she lost the ability to see she countered her steps to her bench that stood near the lake across the street. She counts steps and then she sits down. She learned the art of meditation. She meditates and she walks. She said she listens, she feels the weather on her cheeks. She feels her senses with whatever life has to offer.
We took Eileen out to lunch. She started with a glass of white wine. As our time grew to a close, she said she had to get back to her place for a wine tasting being hosted by the chef of Hearthstone, her retirement home.
Eileen examines life closely. There are things to worry about in life. There are setbacks, but seeds of a new beginning always seem to be present. There are people out there who have mastered the art of living, including retirement. She celebrates life on a daily basis.
This is Retirement Talk.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions contact del@retirementtalk.org
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from. A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops. Copyright 2010 RetirementTalk.org |
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