In 1963, John F. Kennedy spoke to the United States Congress about the needs of senior citizens. In this speech President Kennedy said, “The increase in the life span and in the number of our senior citizens presents this Nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity to draw upon their skill and their wisdom – and the opportunity to provide the respect and recognition they have earned. It is not enough for a great nation to merely have added new years to life, our objective must also be to add new life to those years.”
This 42-year-old speech not only remains applicable to our Nation today, it applies to us as individuals. No matter how many years we have left in our lives, don’t we want those years to be filled with life? I know I do. I practiced law for many years in Texas. There were aspects of it that I enjoyed, but over time I began to feel unfulfilled. Stressful and predominantly-negative days made me need a change. Thus, four years ago I came home to Ardmore. I left the full-time practice of law and became part of Ardmore Village – a senior citizens’ residential community. Although my lawyer friends thought I was crazy, I knew it was the right decision. This change in my career and in my focus would add life to my years.
Recently, I saw a hurricane victim being interviewed on television. Although he had lost his house along with nearly everything he owned, he was happy. He had his long-time companion with him…his dog. “My dog is what is important to me…everything else can be replaced,” he said as he hugged his tail-wagging friend.
In the wake of the recent hurricane disasters, I find myself reviewing my life to ensure that my actions and decisions are in line with what is truly important to me. I notice many people around me doing this same thing. We are reviewing our priorities and re-committing to our fundamental beliefs. These hurricanes reminded us that life is precious and fleeting. They reminded us what things “can be replaced” and what cannot.
In this time of re-evaluation, Ardmore Village has adopted President Kennedy’s phrase as its theme for the next 12 months: “We’re adding life to our years.” This annual theme will guide us in the decisions and plans we make throughout the upcoming year. It serves as our litmus test, reminding us what is important and helping us know what to say ‘yes’ to.
In keeping with this theme, we plan to add life to our years by concentrating on safety awareness issues such as fall prevention. Falls can be devastating to elders. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, more than one-third of seniors over 65 years of age fall at least once each year. Of those who fall, 20-30% suffer injuries severe enough to reduce mobility and independence for over a year.
Additionally over the next 12 months, we intend to focus on our campus grounds because being close to nature adds life to our years. For instance, we want to learn more about the trees and plants surrounding us. How fun it will be to know the names of our trees and some information about them! Moreover, with the help of the Noble Foundation, we plan to improve the quality of our trees and grass through timely fertilization treatments and correct maintenance procedures.
Over the last many years, there have been several initiatives to add years to our lives: advancements in medicine, smoking bans, a push to eat right and exercise regularly. These programs are primarily designed to make our lives longer. Our extra years are hollow though if they have no life in them. Is there something you have always wanted to do before you die? Now is the time to begin the steps to do it. Decide what is most important to you and focus on it…your pet, your family, going back to school to finish your degree, finally completing the quilt that is in pieces in your closet. Commit today to add life to your years. As the famous novelist Larry McMurtry once said, “If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.”
|
