Class Note 1964
Issue
March-April 2022
We are still shaking the tree (Lone Pine) to see what falls from the upper branches. The question is what is your strategy for overcoming the surprises of old age?
Hop Potter writes, “Brother Jay Evans has opened up about his timely move to a continuing care residential community (CCRC), thus leaving behind the world he once knew and taking on a new world, one resembling college life. I once made that point—college similarity—to a skeptical older friend who was struggling with a decision to move to a CCRC. He quipped, ‘Sure, I see the similarities. The graduation ceremony is a little different, though.’ ”
Hop goes on to say that “at our age we have to be pretty stubborn not to belly up to the reality that end of life is the defining issue for us. Marianne and I have an anchor to windward, to borrow Jay’s salty term, in the form of a placeholder at a CCRC near us in Asheville, North Carolina.” Hop notes that getting rid of stuff” in order to fit into a smaller place is a giant challenge.
Gib Myers writes that he is still “waiting for a sign from the universe as to where to go and what is next for” him. Several classmates have provided him with advice. Hunt Whitacre chipped in that “aging in place, hoping for the best is not going to work well.” He recommends getting on a CCRC waiting list if that seems right for you before health issues present larger challenges.
Such prescriptions are not for everyone. Numerous classmates have written that they have enjoyed being able to work right through their 70s and often alongside their spouses. Jim Hughes writes that he and his wife have “remained active but have no anchor to windward yet.” He’s “hoping for a continued stay on this planet or else a sudden exit.” Bruce Cross likewise is enjoying his professional life. Why is it that lawyers just keep on lawyering? Jim Shirley continues to practice law, but sanely balances this by running a dairy and organic vegetable farm.
For my part, health issues are catching up to me (a sign from the universe) and this must be my last column. Some of us are getting old: Would those who aren’t please write in!
—Jay Evans, 512 Winterberry Lane, Duxbury, MA 02332; gjevans222@gmail.com
Hop Potter writes, “Brother Jay Evans has opened up about his timely move to a continuing care residential community (CCRC), thus leaving behind the world he once knew and taking on a new world, one resembling college life. I once made that point—college similarity—to a skeptical older friend who was struggling with a decision to move to a CCRC. He quipped, ‘Sure, I see the similarities. The graduation ceremony is a little different, though.’ ”
Hop goes on to say that “at our age we have to be pretty stubborn not to belly up to the reality that end of life is the defining issue for us. Marianne and I have an anchor to windward, to borrow Jay’s salty term, in the form of a placeholder at a CCRC near us in Asheville, North Carolina.” Hop notes that getting rid of stuff” in order to fit into a smaller place is a giant challenge.
Gib Myers writes that he is still “waiting for a sign from the universe as to where to go and what is next for” him. Several classmates have provided him with advice. Hunt Whitacre chipped in that “aging in place, hoping for the best is not going to work well.” He recommends getting on a CCRC waiting list if that seems right for you before health issues present larger challenges.
Such prescriptions are not for everyone. Numerous classmates have written that they have enjoyed being able to work right through their 70s and often alongside their spouses. Jim Hughes writes that he and his wife have “remained active but have no anchor to windward yet.” He’s “hoping for a continued stay on this planet or else a sudden exit.” Bruce Cross likewise is enjoying his professional life. Why is it that lawyers just keep on lawyering? Jim Shirley continues to practice law, but sanely balances this by running a dairy and organic vegetable farm.
For my part, health issues are catching up to me (a sign from the universe) and this must be my last column. Some of us are getting old: Would those who aren’t please write in!
—Jay Evans, 512 Winterberry Lane, Duxbury, MA 02332; gjevans222@gmail.com