The Class of ’46
Talk about outrageous retirement lifestyle. My wife and I stumbled upon something remarkable yesterday. On the way back from our personal trainer we stopped for breakfast. We had heard good things about this restaurant but we had never managed to get there because it’s in the next town over and a bit out of our way. It’s a small place and we expected it to be empty by mid morning but when we entered, we found a boisterous party of older men filling a large table down the center of the space. It felt like we were entering a private party but the waitress seated us and soon we were looking over a tempting menu and sipping excellent coffee. We joked about the men who seemed like they were having a great time and how they made us feel like kids but we didn’t know the half of the story.
As we were eating, one of the men stopped at our table and chatted. He apologized for the noise because, he told us, they were all deaf. We laughed but then he continued. They were a group of 1946 graduates from Richmond California High School. It seems that this group gets together for breakfast once a month in Folsom California, 90 miles from their Alma Mater. They come from as far away as Nevada for this meeting.
I quickly calculated that they would be 84 years old and thinking about that inspires me. I asked if I could take a picture and chatted with them for a time. Every one of them was sharp and physically strong and mobile. There wasn’t a walker or even a cane in the bunch. When I told them I was inspired and optometistic about my future seeing them, one of the said he had children older than me And when I confessed to being 70, another said he remembered 70 and that it was a good age. These guys were still going strong and giving each other strength and encouragement 65 years after they left high school.
For me there just couldn’t have been a better confirmation of living a full life and staying strong. I often find myself wondering how many ‘good’ years I have left and feeling like I’m always the old guy in the room. I won’t be indulging those thoughts any longer. So if you are 70, like me. If you are 60 or even 50, you have a long time left to fill up. Take inspiration from the Richmond High class of ’46 and make those years great.
Ralph, those guys look in good condition for their age. It’s great to see they still know how to enjoy themselves and are prepared to travel to do it.
I think we all think about how many good years we have left, so you are not alone in that. For me they have to be good years, I don’t want bad or mediocre.
Bill
A-U-L, UK
Bill Murney’s last Blog Post ..Pembrokeshire Coast Path
Bill,
Seeing this many guys older than me and still going strong gives me hope. I don’t want mediocre either
Seeing stories like this lift my day. Isn’t it interesting the older we get the older being old becomes! My Dad is 87 and jokes he just entered middle age 2 years ago. If he is right, I have about 60 years to live!
Staying physically fit and mentally stimulated are crucial parts of an outrageously happy lifestyle. Good for these guys and thanks for sharing.
Bob Lowry’s last Blog Post ..What Type of Retiree are You?
Bob,
I was uplifted all day after meeting these guys. It seems like all you ever hear about is the problems with aging. There is joy and some great experiences -if you look for them.