Fall Foliage and Turning 65

Early in September, I turned 65. My 66th year started with my wife, Debbie, our four kids and their significant others. We had a beautiful weekend in VT with a very loose plan: lots of good home-cooked food, stories, cigars and a few cocktails. 

Along with cake, I enjoyed the bitter taste of being old enough to sign up for Medicare. Beyond that institutional milestone though, the number itself felt insignificant.

Until I noticed the leaves beginning to change. Suddenly, I began to see this last (long) leg of my life in a new light. 

The Fall is the most beautiful time for a leaf. Ironically, it is also the end of its life. During a leaf’s early days, its focus is self-growth. In its mid-years, the leaf contributes to the tree, which in turn, contributes to its surrounding ecosystem. (A story for another day, but I’ve learned that there is an amazing underground connection between stands of trees that allow them to share resources and energy). Toward the end of its life, full of color, it shares its vibrant colors with the world.

A month into my 66th year, I too feel like I am in the brightest time of my life so far. 

I have always told our kids that if anyone tells you your college years are ”the best time in your life,” ignore them. The expectation that it is downhill from 21 years old is a terrible one to set.

I worked with a gentleman earlier in my career named John Levidy. John spent his life working for GE, and then the spun-off company that I joined in 1988. He worked well into his 70’s. Years after he retired, I ran into him at a local park. He was with his young grandchild. He told me; “Every decade of my life has been the best decade of my life.” I have told that story at the weddings of our children.  It is a perfect, simple life goal.

So what is different about times later in life.  

As our life expectancy moves upward along the curves illustrated below, an opportunity to give back, to stay active and involved evolves.  At a time of life when we hold decades of experience, mistakes, relationships, historical perspective and so much more, value to your respective Communities is so much more than ever. And it continues. Global life expectancy is forecast to increase 5 years by 2050, even with the headwinds that we face.

This, I realize, is why I enjoy our work with Daneli Partners and Rock City Development so much. We get to invest in local leaders and organizations. We’ve created space for our teams to learn, grow, and contribute to the development of others. We are helping to invigorate a beautiful community.

These business endeavors have gifted me with the ability to continue to learn and grow while I invest my experience, knowledge and finances into developing a strong company and community.

Whether your endeavor is volunteer work, religious or spiritual work, paid work or just being an example and resource for others, take Jim Valvano’s famous words and put them in action.

“Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever Give Up”