As we reach old age, our physical infirmities se se rob us of many of the things we used to love to do, things which added meaning and enjoyment to our lives. IN my ase, damaged vision has taken away my love of reading. I used to power-walk 5 miles a day, taking me through y surrounding neighborhoods and getting to know a lot of different people. Until 2019 I also deeply enjoyed working out with weight machines – exceeding my body weight on 7 leg, shoulder and pectoral machines, adding strength and endurance. It felt great when the endorphins kicked in. AND there have been pother losses.

If you are like me, that has led me to focus on things that I still can still enjoy and imbue them with greater meaning. Up until this year, I have greatly enjoyed my vegetable gardening,, growing 3 different sets of crops a year. That gave me many delicious fruits and vegetable, and gave me the pleasure of haring with friends and neighbors. allowed me to share with neighbors Alas, that is also gone.

That leaves me focusing on fewer things. One is relationships, including with my wife, and with nearby friends and neighbors. My love of music has also become more important and that has enhanced my ability to block out everything slew and allowing myself my consciousness to be enwrapped with the meaningful sounds. Communicating within others from other times and places has added quality. Focusing on learning by hearing and listening continues to allow me to learn.

In short, I am relearning something from an earlier time and place. That is how to live in the moment, which being in West Berlin from at he height of the Cold War. There I learned I learned to take everyday things and enjoy them, such as a connoisseur of fine brandy would snift the aroma ad savor the bouguer.

These latter years also are making me focus on making a difference if I can. I will explain in he next piece.