Class Note 1990. Here is the final chapter of your philosophies on aging and staying young. Hallie Brooks writes, “Horses keep me young! It’s always an adventure with them. And riding has given me friends who are in their teens and pushing 80—every one of them would drop anything to help me out, and each has their own wisdom to pass along.” Scott Facher writes, “Given that aging beats the alternative and that being around younger people helps us ‘feel young,’ a key to aging gracefully is to accept everything with gratitude. Other than that, hang onto your hope, faith, and closest friends for as long as possible!” David Greenberg writes, “I have purposefully given myself permission to like some of the same things as my 12-year-old self and to be wide-eyed and amazed by art, people, or ideas. One of my heroes, John Adams, gave himself similar permission. In his old age he quoted Cicero in advising a friend, ‘For as I like a young man in whom there is something of the old, so I like an old man in whom there is something of the young; and he who follows this maxim in body will possibly be an old man but he will never be an old man in mind.’ ” Julie Urda writes, “To stay young in mind, spirit, and heart, I teach college students, trying but failing tragically to stay hip. My philosophy is aging sucks but I’m in denial so it’s okay. There. I said it.” Kyrie Robinson writes, “Things I’ve noticed about getting older? Lately, it’s been the lingering hamstring injury. Boo. More seriously, it’s that the regrets in life seem to be piling up and getting larger and more consequential. They weigh on me. What keeps me young? I have moved into a phase where I exercise every single day—mostly CrossFit, yoga, and pickleball, sometimes hiking or biking. I was never that ‘exercise person’ in my 20s. The other thing is devoting myself to my niece Zora (age 4).” Sarah Lennon writes, “Learning something new is critical to staying young mentally and physically. My husband and I took up golf in 2021 when we no longer had to run kids to events and such. Now that we’re empty nesters and I’ll be retiring from federal service after 30 years in government, we have many trips planned to keep us moving and learning! And I love that I can drive the golf ball farther than most of the women I play with (just need to work on accuracy!).” Mike Kennealy writes, “Something that keeps me young (or at least busy) is running for governor of Massachusetts! I have now worked for 12 years in public service after my career in private equity, including as secretary of housing and economic development for Massachusetts’ last Republican governor, and I’m ready to compete for, win, and do the job. Why do I want to be governor? The answer is simple: I love public service and Massachusetts!” Learn more at mikekennealy.com. William Boulware Jr. writes, “What is my philosophy about aging? I do not allow people to invade my peace. I do those things that make me happy. I live a balanced life. I’m rarely sedentary. I spend time with people who celebrate and are present. I love where I am. I appreciate what I have. I meet people where they meet me. I avoid saying ‘I have to’ when I should say ‘I get to.’ (‘I have to go to this dinner’; no, ‘I get to go and see my friends.’) This life, good or bad, is a privilege.”
—Rob Crawford, 22 Black Oak Road, Weston, MA 02493; crawdaddy37@gmail.com