When you’re into your 60s, getting through a year without serious illness, or infirmity, is worth celebrating. We’re well, thank you.
But we’re not thinking of retirement. Jenni is still trusted at Global Payments. The pay is good, her co-workers are dear to her. My own work at InvestorPlace is steady, and I published two books. One is a novel, Bridget O’Flynn and the Bear. The other is a series of essays on technology, now called Technology’s Big Bang. Both are on the Amazon Kindle. I also continue to write occassional pieces for Kiplinger
In your 60s you usually cease being the lead player in your own life story. This should commence a discussion of grandchildren, or at least fur babies. We don’t have grandchildren yet. The cats are fine.
Instead, we have two careers to celebrate.
John is now into his second year of Ph.D studies in biochemistry at the University of Minnesota. He has begun feeling out his strengths and weaknesses, personally and professionally. He has his own place. He doesn’t tell us everything, but that’s OK. He’s a good man, and he’s going places in the world.
John took our Corolla up to Minneapolis early in the year but realized by Thanksgiving it was unnecessary. He drove it back, in one piece. He calls, we chat online, but he’s an independent man whose life is his own.
Robin is finishing her classes in environmental studies at the University of Vienna, in Austria. She still needs to do a thesis. But people are realizing there’s a need to consider the animals and birds that live in our cities. There are too many of some, not enough of others. We need a balance in urban nature. That’s what she has been saying for a decade. She is going to be heard from.
The highlight of our year was a European vacation. I took a busman’s holiday to Heidelberg, covering a conference of math and computer laureates, even meeting some of my heroes. Then I joined Jenni in Budapest for a cruise up the Danube. (The top picture was taken after I walked to her from the train station.) The cruise included a day in Vienna. Robin showed us the town by public transit. We were the envy of our boat, and very proud.
During the year we lost friends and neighbors. We will lose more next year. Pain is the price of living, and loss is the price of love. So long as you can pay the price, life is good.
