I had an interesting connect this week. First my semi-annual secondary school luncheon. The attendees was down to eight from the usual twenty just five years ago. Each of us has had our crises and losses, including luncheon ones directly. Age does creep up. Then the second connect was one annual "letter" filled with pictures and happy faces across the posh spots of the globe. As if there was some immunity to family crises.
If I were to send out an annual letter it would be akin to my luncheon conversation. Age does creep up, and all family members have challenges. My five grandchildren each have set a separate pathway in life. My namesake grandson is a successful CPA and soon to marry a charming psychologist. My oldest grandson is a police officer married to an El Salvador descendant and with my first great grand child. One grand-daughter is a forestry major grad somewhere in the upper Michigan peninsula in sub zero temps and feet of snow doing something on trees. Go Figguah! The other grand daughter is finishing business school wondering what is next. Finally the youngest grandson is in retail. He knows more about inventory, market demands, personnel management than any Harvard MBA. It helps to work in the trenches.
So if we had a family letter it would be work, work, work! Each different, none like their grandfather.
Instead of regaling our fine times, I listen to and support my ailing colleagues and assist the next steps with family members. As one ages, meetings become medical appointments, entertainment becomes watching BritBox reruns, travel is hospital visits for friends. But that is life amongst the common folk.
Yes, I still have many colleagues I stay in contact with from California, Moscow, Greece, Singapore and the places I spent time at in business, rarely at what could be called pleasure.
So to all those whose year has had its bumps, and few "grand moments", I commiserate, but laud your life of interesting challenges.
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