Christmas With The Fam

I have spent a few great days with family for Christmas.

It was fewer family and fewer days than last year (which was a hoot and a half), but delightful and certainly worth the trip.

OK, here we go: Why? Because some of us are getting old, and some of us are sick; because good family is a gift to be appreciated and treasured; because we enjoy and love each other; because we wanted to check on each other and ourselves; because we ARE touchstones to each other; because of the hugs and kisses; because of the stories and conversation; and because, just like last year, we laughed so much that we cried tears and our abs hurt.

My 92-year-old aunt declared she's made a pact with God... that unless she's going up, she's just not going. We wondered if it was really God she was making that pact with. Then my brother cousin-in-law tells her that she would indeed be able to do that cruise she's always wanted if she went in a shoebox.

My nephew second cousin, back home after a breakup, was discussing a girl wearing a bathing suit with its neckline down to her bellybutton. I asked him if they use double-sided tape for that. He was incredulous, and said who cares how they do it... except maybe for an engineer.

I noticed my sister cousin gave everybody flannel pajamas... because South Florida had a few freezing nights recently. So, why also give everyone wallets and purses? (I wanted to know who had won the lottery!)

And some of us just acted a little goofy.

Oh, and the food was great, the weather beautiful, and bicycling terrific... as always. Thank you, guys. I will be heading home the slow way, missing everyone but remembering fondly.


- © 2011 by Willy

Another Year Sets

Amazing! Christmas is about here and another year is down. This one went as fast as a whirlwind!



What did I do? Contributions at work, serious hiking, some bicycling and regular weightlifting. I watched more sunsets. I fed the creatures. Got a better diet lifestyle. Did some socializing. Best of all... developed better discipline.

What did I get accomplished? I finally got everything fixed in my old Vette, it runs great and I drive it regularly. I painted most of the house outside. I maintained my old physical self. I got a National Park Senior Lifetime Pass. And I discovered that my mental self has discipline enough to weather multiple storms simultaneously.

What do I want to do next year? Of course, shed a few pounds. But I want to think about what to do for the next... 30 years.

Why?

Because my favorite aunt has lived to that rich old age, and blesses me with her wisdom and counsel. It's been time for me to do the same.

I found out that most of us really are self-delusional. That life is really about the fantasies. When I was a foolish young man, my fantasies might have been fast cars and loose women. Now that I'm an old man my fantasy is that I'm indispensable at work. The current fantasy is useful as a goal to keep me getting up in the morning due to the self-importance of what I do, but it won't do in retirement.

Or maybe because I want to use that Senior Pass just like the Vette uses Midas mufflers.

I've been through that age at which we have thoughts of wiping it all clean and starting over. And the age at which we come to grips with our own mortality. I've had enough difficult times that I know I'm living on borrowed time.

Do I really want to be around more years? Thirty of them!? Do I have any control over that? I don't know.

If so, there's gotta be a need to live, community in depth-and-breath, and planning and discipline.


Also, it would help to see problems coming... in order to accommodate or compensate.

After all, I'm a good controls engineer.

First is to get this plant... body and mind... in good order.

- © 2011 by Willy