Thanks for this poignant essay. I think about the subject a lot. In fact, I recently wrote a Socratic dialogue that addresses this topic. It will probably be published in February. In it, Socrates meets an aging friend who bemoans the fact that, as he believes, his best days are in the past. Through questioning, Socrates persuades his friend that great days still lie ahead for him, though vastly different that the past, so long as the friend adjusts his frame of reference. This is what you, and hopefully I, are doing.
I really appreciate what you wrote here and I agree I don’t think my best years are behind me. I really enjoy writing and I also enjoy the reading. I’m doing and I absolutely love my two daughters and my grandson and their husband’s my son-in-law are terrific people and I have really nice neighbors and I have a couple of reallygreat friends back there in old New York City. So thank you for that. Great comment Mark. I really appreciate it.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences with aging. Forty five years working as a psychotherapist is quite an accomplishment. I’m sure you’ve touched the lives of countless people. It’s not easy to engage in psychotherapy work with you have a trauma history. It’s also not easy to be a therapist who has to bear witness to others pain and suffering. It takes a special kind of person to do this kind of work.
I’m glad you have family members and friends who support your decision. Now you can take comfort in knowing you’ve made a difference. Your life has held meaning and purpose. There’s something to be said for that as many go through life without a sense of direction.
You still make a difference with your contribution here. I hope you continue to enjoy time with the people who matter most to you. I look hearing more from you.
Anna, I deeply appreciate what you have written to me and I want to thank you with all of my heart. Yes, I will continue to write here on Substack because I think it’s a great place to be and I love the people involved here. Again, thank you so very much
Thanks for this poignant essay. I think about the subject a lot. In fact, I recently wrote a Socratic dialogue that addresses this topic. It will probably be published in February. In it, Socrates meets an aging friend who bemoans the fact that, as he believes, his best days are in the past. Through questioning, Socrates persuades his friend that great days still lie ahead for him, though vastly different that the past, so long as the friend adjusts his frame of reference. This is what you, and hopefully I, are doing.
I really appreciate what you wrote here and I agree I don’t think my best years are behind me. I really enjoy writing and I also enjoy the reading. I’m doing and I absolutely love my two daughters and my grandson and their husband’s my son-in-law are terrific people and I have really nice neighbors and I have a couple of reallygreat friends back there in old New York City. So thank you for that. Great comment Mark. I really appreciate it.
Old age is just that.
Having climbed
Hills, mountains
Crossed rivers, lakes
Hiked woodlands.
Strolled fair meadows
Slid on frozen sidewalks
Hurried across burning streets
Always looking
Both ways, and
Fore and aft.
Now.
We have learned
an appropriate pace
We choose our steps
accordingly, more carefully
Now.
We are the sum of generations
And the company of others.
Some chosen, some found
Some gifted to us
Some gone.
Now.
We choose our spoon
Our knife
Our remaining life.
Oh there is more to come
Fewer choices though
Down the path
That we have learned
To tread,
Facing a few more corners.
Old age is just that.
Malcolm McKinney 2024
I love that poem. Thank you. Malcom, do you mind if I save it and use it elsewhere? It's up to you and I will not feel offended if you say "no."
Use it when you like, just give me credit.
Be well.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences with aging. Forty five years working as a psychotherapist is quite an accomplishment. I’m sure you’ve touched the lives of countless people. It’s not easy to engage in psychotherapy work with you have a trauma history. It’s also not easy to be a therapist who has to bear witness to others pain and suffering. It takes a special kind of person to do this kind of work.
I’m glad you have family members and friends who support your decision. Now you can take comfort in knowing you’ve made a difference. Your life has held meaning and purpose. There’s something to be said for that as many go through life without a sense of direction.
You still make a difference with your contribution here. I hope you continue to enjoy time with the people who matter most to you. I look hearing more from you.
Take care. x
Anna, I deeply appreciate what you have written to me and I want to thank you with all of my heart. Yes, I will continue to write here on Substack because I think it’s a great place to be and I love the people involved here. Again, thank you so very much
You’re welcome. Nice to see you here.
of course