Most of my college mates, the class of '56, have crossed
over the threshold, as I did this Fall, into a ninth decade. That gives one pause for reflection....
My seventies were grand -- the happiest and most productive ages
of my life. Life with Ann (over a
quarter-century now) has been rich and joyous.
Watching our (shared) five children wrestle with the challenges of this
complicated age, our nine grandchildren come into their own and one great-grand
begin her childhood adventure has been enormously humbling. I am glad not to be raising kids in these
times of drug temptations, sexual transparency, inequality of opportunity and
all the rest parents deal with. Barbara
and I did the best we could; Ann and Rob likewise. One always wishes I could-'a, should-'a been
a better Dad or Mom, but the offspring thrive despite our misdeeds. My sons, step sons and son-in-law are role
models for Dads -- the Dad I wish I had been. They are great family-men.
As for my eighties, I intend to be equally happy and, yes, productive. So long as we continue learning, we still have
much to give. I've given up mastering a
new language; higher math eludes me; but history and the threats to our public
square engage my attention and energy, as does living up to my handle -- trusteecoach. Much of the last decade was guided by a
personal mission statement, drafted after having drifted through the first year
of retirement. It has been my rudder
since:
My
Missions
First, to
enrich Ann's and my shared lives.
Second,
to increase the effectiveness of selected service organizations by investing
time
and leveraging my experience
in strategy, marketing and management of innovation.
But having crossed the threshold into this
new decade of my eighties, I think it needs some revision:
First, to
enrich and savor Ann's and
my shared lives.
Second, to increase the effectiveness of selected not-for-profit organizations by investing
time and energy, and by recruiting
the next generation of leaders to make their
talents available to this critical segment of our commonweal.
So, Happy New Year to you who
are reading this. Keep moving. May we
all thrive and prosper in 2015.
