The Reluctant Senior: February 2017

Saturday, February 4, 2017

I have been writing poems my whole life and finally decided to put some of them together. I also wanted to learn what Kindle Publish was all about. So now if you want to check it all out either search Richard Schwachter on Amazon or "44 Pieces of Me" or maybe the link below will work.

https://www.amazon.com/44-Pieces-Me-Collection-Poems-ebook/dp/B01MZGQTUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486231441&sr=8-1&keywords=richard+schwachter

The Main Idea

I don’t like to join clubs.

I didn’t want to join this one.

But reluctantly, I became a member.

There was no form to fill out, no dues to pay and no selection committee to assess my credentials. The only achievement required was to be born in 1944 or earlier. Not an AARP member (the pretend Senior at 50) but the real deal Medicare Member age 65.

This reluctant Senior found himself forced to consider things he had put off for more immediate issues. Suddenly there was no more procrastination. It was time to take stock of the past and consider, however reluctantly, the future. I want to share this adventure, if you are interested.

This is a blog about aging and acquiring wisdom. It’s about the contrast between the reflection we see in the mirror and our own self-image. It’s about not being ready to be called a Senior. And it’s about much more. I thought I’d call this “rage against the dying of the light “from the Dylan poem. But it’s not about fighting death. It’s about fighting labels. Those imposed by society and imposed by ourselves.

It’s about what society is telling us to think and feel, juxtaposed to what I think we really feel.

It’s about what we think but are afraid to say.

It’s about what we don’t feel and are afraid to admit.

I hope to explore this with you in a dialogue that addresses: work, sex, health, government and religion in no special order. I have opinions about most everything as I know you do and will share many of them here. Hopefully this is about a dialogue with you.

There is nothing to sell here and no one to convert. This is simply a place to share ideas.