Alan at 69

"Will you still need me, will you still love me, when I'm 6……9"?
OK, so the Beatles said "64", but I say it 5 years later.
69.....the year both of my parents died.....Well...I have to much to live for to go their way.

In fact, I have as good a life as anybody could ask for.........family, friends, intellectual stimulation.....good health...even reasonable finances. I hope this rambling will not jinx any of that.
My mother would never write such a thing. Never tempt the evil eye, she would say. But, me, well I forge ahead undaunted.
Why? You ask....Well because I am so very happy right now.

First, my family.....Immediate and distant all love me and likewise.

First, there is Barbara. Late in life, I met the most generous, loving person imaginable. Her generosity reminds me of my father. And that is saying a lot for those who knew him. She and he would have hit it off splendidly...except for one important difference.......their views of women's place in the world. But, I will not go there. Yes...Barb and I differ a lot, both being quite opinionated. But, on one thing we agree totally....we are deeply committed and....yes.....love each other.

Next....my girls....Mira and Sara. Both fully mature adults with societally important careers that make me so proud.

My eldest, Mira, arrived around Thanksgiving in 1969. And I have been giving thanks for her ever since. My mother was so happy when we named her after her mother. Sylvia and I gave up smoking to assure Mira’s pre natal health. The first of many good things attributable to Mira. Some say Mira is my clone. OK, so I am exaggerating a bit….OK, a lot. But, we do look alike (if you look beyond the facial and head top hair differences) and have many similar interests. Like loving baseball, photography, politics...... Mira reminds me so much of my father....loving, generous, gregarious. He would, in fact DID for the few years they knew each other, love her as I do.

About two years later, Sara arrived. Her birthday date being one day before my father’s, Feb 9, 1972. He always said she was one day older than him. My father was so happy to have a grand daughter named after his mother. Often when I am with Sara we arrive at the same thought simultaneously. Must be in the genes. I say great minds think along the same lines. Sara brings me a bonus, Victor. It is hard to imagine a better son-in-law (still to be at this writing). The only thing that separates Victor from perfection is that he has no serious interest in baseball.

Seven years my junior, Bunny, is the next most important person in my life. The Easter time gift in 1947. How much fun I had in teasing her in our youth. And now have in confiding in her in my adulthood.

Next, comes my adopted family through Barbara. Lenore, Jonathan and Anne, and their spouses, have all welcomed me like I was a long time member of their family. But, in fact, Jonathan and Anne bring me another bonus……three grand nieces and a nephew. As of this writing that is as close as I get to grandchildren. I am reveling in their childhood and maturation as if they were my own.

I cannot leave family without mention of my cousins, Jay (closest in age to me), Greta (and Alvin), and Sandra. Few in number, but large in sentiment. Alas, my final cousin, Blanche and I do not communicate these days. Well, you can’t win 'em all.

No life relationship can be complete without friends. In that regard, I am well endowed, indeed. Although, my closest boyhood friend, almost brother, Bob Silverstein, is passed, I have many other friends to warm my heart. Throughout the various times in my life, from high school, through undergraduate and graduate school, to various parts of my professional life, I have accumulated friends. Too many to single out by name. But, all helping to fill out my most fortunate life.

That completes the companionship component of my life. What about intellectual stimulation?
After retiring from a fulfilling, 40-year career in meteorology (and oceanography) research, I have taken up tour guiding. From scientist to historian. The only thing in common is my love to perform. And love it, I do. Imagine a job where people pay me to lecture to them and hang on my every word. Well, some do, anyway. Science went from my profession to my hobby. And history went from my hobby to my profession. I love the reversal and revel in both.

Health? Well for a 69 year old, I feel pretty good. Sure, as my friend Bill Gemmil says, “…at our age, the warrantee on the parts starts running out”. But, they all still work. Knock on wood.

Finances? Well, you can’t win ‘em all. The financial and real estate bubbles put a crimp in my plans. But, tour guiding keeps the wolf away from my (very expensive) Washington, DC condo door. Like my parents, my goal is to die with just $100 in the bank. Sorry, no inheritance to be had here. Other than spiritual. And there is also my trove of photos on my computer and my barometers on my wall.

So….how do I feel in my 69th year? In a word….GREAT.
Stay tuned for a report at 79.