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“Grow Old Along With Me!

The Best is Yet to Be,

The last of life,

for which the first was made.”

Soon I’ll reach my 55th anniversary as a lawyer and my 80th year of life. Since such milestones lead to meditative, philosophical thoughts, this month let’s pause from discussing legal topics and look at more important things.

In the early years of my practice I defended criminals, practiced real estate law, helped people shuck spouses, guided businesses, fought over oil and gas interests, and did all those other legal things general practitioners do. For the last 34 years I have been an Elder lawyer.

I became an Elder lawyer by accident; my clients needed more in-depth Medicaid planning than anybody around these parts was able to provide. So, when I couldn’t find anybody else who knew how, I learned how myself. It was the best decision I ever made.

Working with you Seniors is a joy; I get more satisfaction from it than from any other legal work I have done.

Oh, there are a very few of you who are irascible and cantankerous, but then, many times I try your patience, too, particularly when I get behind with my work.

The vast majority of you are charming, witty, kind, understanding, forgiving, intelligent, caring and concerned. Time and again I have admired you for providing a bridge of love and acceptance during family events which have rocked and shocked younger people. I remember a father in his upper 70s, who, when his son revealed that he is gay, quietly answered, “That makes no difference; You are my son and I love you, no matter what.” Time after time, you grandparents have provided the loving link to troubled grandchildren while their parents were struggling ineptly, often further alienating their child in the process. You seem to do better than many middle-age people when dealing with family traumas like unconventional lifestyles, drugs, pregnancies, rebellion, and all the other turmoils of parenting.

Your sense of humor is unsurpassed. My late friend, Art Morris, when around 99, replied to the greeting, “It’s good to see you!” by quipping “At my age, it’s better to be seen than viewed!”

What you can accomplish is phenomenal. DeGaul was president of France, Churchill was prime minister of Great Britain, Adenauer was Chancellor of Germany, and Reagan was president of the United States while in their 70s. Michelangelo produced masterpieces at 89. Goethe completed the second part of Faust when he was 82. Wagner finished Parsifal at 69, and Voltaire wrote Candide at 65. Handel composed beautiful music, Longfellow wrote immortal poetry, long after 70.

Parkersburg has its own remarkable, creative Seniors: a client named George, when he was 100, told me that he had enjoyed a long retirement – 18 years. Quick mental arithmetic revealed that he retired at age 82, so I asked what work he had then been doing.

He was an Air Marshall – as he put it, “Nobody expects the old codger to be the cop.”

And, in retirement he wrote several published books of poetry.

With age comes wisdom and understanding. One of my dearest friends is 85 years old. For about 49 years he loyally worked for the same employer and raised his family; For 25 years he was fire chief of an outstanding volunteer fire department, where he helped many of us wayward young firemen through our youthful foibles. He led the fire department through tumultuous times with a sense of statesmanship and tact that would have made any Secretary of State proud. My friend had only a few years of formal schooling, but he has learned well his lessons in life’s school of hard knocks and he generously shared that wisdom and understanding.

One of my favorite stories about aging is about Sir William Mulock, as reported in the book, Light of Many Lamps, edited by Lillian Eichler Watson. Let me share it.

“Smiling and serene, Sir William Mulock, Chief Justice of Ontario, got up to acknowledge the great ovation. This distinguished gathering had come together in his honor, for he had reached an important milestone It was his birthday … and he was 95 years old.”

“‘Ninety-five,’ he thought as he stood before them, waiting for the applause to subside. ‘It sounds old. I must seem very old to most of them out there. But strangely enough, I don’t feel old at all. It’s just another birthday like all the others … another year behind me … and the best of life still ahead.'”

“The great hall fell silent as he began to speak, his voice firm and clear – the voice of a man who lived life, who loved his work and his fellow man, and who looked forward with pleasure to whatever still lay ahead:

‘I am still at work, with my hand to the plow, and my face to the future. The shadows of evening lengthen about me, but morning is in my heart. I have lived from the 40s of one century to the 30s of the next. I have had varied fields of labor, and full contact with men and things, and have warmed both hands before the fire of life.’

‘The testimony I bear is this: that the Castle of Enchantment is not yet behind me. It is before me still, and daily I catch glimpses of its battlements and towers. The rich spoils of memory are mine. Mine, too, are the precious things of today – books, flowers, pictures, nature, and sport. The first of May is still an enchanted day to me. The best thing of all is friends. The best of life is always further on. Its real lure is hidden from our eyes, somewhere behind the hills of time.’

“To greet each day without worry or confusion, to do one’s appointed task, to be cheerful and unafraid, expectant, responsive – to live simply but fully, enjoying the many great blessings God has provided – that was his message on his 95th birthday.”

So, Dear Reader, live fully and happily. Aim to wear out , not rust out. Make good friends and cherish good memories. And scorn the passage of time! Keep looking ahead, always ahead – for the best of life is always further on.

***

Elder Law Attorney Gerald W. Townsend is a partner in the law firm of Fluharty & Townsend, Parkersburg, W.Va. His practice focuses upon the legal needs of Seniors, with special emphasis upon Medicaid planning for nursing home care. He welcomes West Virginia clients with elder law concerns by direct appointment or referral from other professionals. He can be reached at jtownend@fntlawoffices.com.