Is It Ever Too Late?

I just finished another phase of training in the application process for an online university. It's been some time since I felt a sense of accomplishment, and even though this is a comparatively small accomplishment, it really, really feels good. As most of you know, I'm 67 years old (though I look much younger!), and I still need those "warm fuzzies." Do we ever get over our need for recognition and accomplishment? Well, I haven't yet, and I don't believe that others do, either.

I was lucky to have lived in a household in which I was encouraged and given opportunities to do things like play the piano, take dancing lessions, go to a prestigious camp each summer. This wonderful environment lasted until I was almost 14, and I looked at the world with anticipation for the future. That changed when my mother remarried, but I had it for a while. If you had an encouraging environment, you know exactly what it feels like to receive praise for the things you do well.

For the first time in many, many months, I'm looking forward to what's coming next. I'm looking forward to my new adventure in teaching. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, educated and thoughtful people to learn from. Unless one is truly debillitated, I don't believe it's ever too late to want and enjoy the next journey, to continue, to take the first step on a new path. And as much as anything else, I'm looking forward to helping my wife with our expenses and with getting us out of debt.

In a few words, I feel useful again. And for an old fart such as I, there's no better feeling. Underneath all these feelings is the hope that. debt free, I will once again drive the streets of Los Angeles, have a hot dog at Pink's, savor my pancakes at DuPar's, see a first-run movie at the Cinerama Dome. Hope is the thing with feathers.