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Octogenarian
Rambles
JIm Cassidy
 It’s
May — and that special time of the year when so many
things are going on in our own personal lives that we
often think that we do not have time to possibly do them
all.
But if you will grant me the liberty of some sage advice
coming from a senior citizen who has been there, who has
been around the block more than once with these events,
relax — be happy — and enjoy the moment for it
will pass all too quickly.
Yes, it’s time for the traditional school proms, the
beautiful Mother’s Day, the graduations, the
birthdays, the early trips to the beach, and of course,
for we seniors, turning over the garden so that we can
get the first red tomatoes in the neighborhood, strictly
for bragging rights! A gardener’s tip:
don’t put those plants outside in this area until
May 30.
So much to do and so little time, but believe me, it will
all take place on-time and will be a grand success
whether we fret or fuss about it or not!
For me, as an official in several veteran’s
organizations, May is a busy month in preparation for
Memorial Day and all it means to my fellow veterans and
their families. Yes, it is a patriotic month when we
honor the flag and remember the many sacrifices made by
the thousands of young men and women of the armed forces
who made the supreme sacrifice to protect and defend this
beautiful country called America. In North Andover alone,
we will once again decorate over 2,000 gravesites with
the American flag.
In addition, this year a wonderful memorial is being
constructed at the new North Andover High School track
field to honor and remember forever six young men from
this town who went away to war and never returned, for
they were killed in action in the Vietnam war. They
were local high school athletes and track stars. The
memorial on the track site will remind today’s young
athletes and students the tremendous sacrifices their
fellow classmates made for them so that they can continue
to run and achieve their dreams in the peace and safety
of America.
See further information on this page as to how you can
help and contribute to the fundraising efforts for this
beautiful monument to be dedicated on Saturday morning,
June 3rd.
Also, on May 20th at 12:00 o’clock noon in
Lawrence, the completely reconstructed and refurbished
Veterans Memorial Football Stadium will be dedicated and
once more stand as the glittering gateway jewel to the
city of Lawrence.
Now that I have finished the most important reporting
task of the May column, I will take the liberty of
wandering on a bit since I have recently entered the
“Octogenarian Phase” of my life, that is 80
years of age for my mathematically impaired
friends. I know it is hard to believe this
astounding fact, but, yes, I hit the big 80 on the
calendar and since many of my dear friends have
unfortunately already left me, it gets me to wondering
about my own mortality and why some people live longer
than others.
Is it luck, or misfortune? Is it good, or is it bad?
If you can age with dignity and are in relatively good
health, with loving friends and family around you, have
happy thoughts about the future and stay active in life,
then it’s good.
But on the other hand, if you are sick, depressed,
lonely, frail or generally unhappy, then longevity
doesn’t seem like such an accomplishment.
If you are in the later group, I urge you to visit your
local Senior Citizen Center for friendship and a good
outlook on life.
Without getting too morbid or technical, today a typical
American has a life expectancy of about 78 years, with
such potentially fatal diseases such as cancer, diabetes
and cardiovascular illness likely to appear during the
50s to 70s. Longevity scientists have concluded by
studying hundreds of centenarians (100-year-olds) that
such diseases develop, if ever, much later from 80 years
old and beyond.
If life is a minefield, centenarians have special genes
or a special genetic armament that gets them past the
danger points. The trick seems to be to live to 80
years of age.
As we always say, “It’s in the
genes,” so enjoy the moment and what you have. Stay
active and have a bright outlook on life. And, oh
yes, try to stay healthy in the process!
Enjoy these beautiful May days to be followed by more in
June — which will soon be upon us. Don’t worry
about the rest of the summer.
Jim is Vice-Commander of
American Legion Post #219. He served as a combat
infantryman in WWII, fighting in France and Germany with
the 70th Infantry Division. Jim Cassidy was awarded the
Bronze Star for his service in World War II. You can
email him with questions or comments at: Cassperryst@aol.com
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The May, 2006 Edition of
the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 8,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
North Andover, Methuen, Haverhill,
Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury and Lowell.
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