"Do not go gentle..."

Memoirs are not for wimps!

They are the last word of dying men.
They stand for eternity, trees planted on firm ground, overlooking the abyss.  Memoirs are the last will and testament of those who are brave enough or crazy enough to take pen in hand and committ their thoughts to paper, to eternity.

Or so I thought!

Lately, I've been reading memoirs written by twenty-something, people who have had about a fourth of their lifespan behind them.  They wrap up their experiences  in a big fat ribbon and call Julia Roberts to play them on the big screen.  Julia will evoke all sorts of personalities from all the movies she has done, and voila', we have a rich banquet of characters to satisfy all hungers.

I believe President Carter's White House Diaries and his memoirs are the words of a man who had a presidency that was misunderstood, or over-critical. Why, even his party was fighting him.  Yes, he needs to set the record straight, explain himself, explain the situation he found himself in, explain the country at that juncture.

Memoirs are as real as the photographs we take. The background, what came before and after, what is not illuminated, these are elements manipulated by the writer.

A memoir like Stephen Elliott's The Adderall Diaries adds another layer to the mix.  It is a self-study: "This book (is) functioning as an external memory I go over every day."  (p.102)
Memoirs are more important to the writer than any thing else he/she writes.  Memoirs pin down experiences and feelings revisited and re-interpreted.   An impressive process!

Everything we produce is a part of us.  Memoirs are the most transparent.

Speak Out

None of us have the power to effect big changes. Only when we come together and speak in chorus, we are heard.

Retirees usually take up issues that involve them at this new stage of life, and rightly so. Health Care, pensions, the usual suspects. But we are in a great position to look back at the entire panorama of people needs, all across the globe. We have lived a full life and seen many parts of the world, and we have a unique perspective. We can lend our voices to issues that will improve lives not just for the now, but for future generations.

Joining groups, volunteering our time and expertise, lending a hand in our community, all of these acts go hand in hand with being alive, being a vital member of a community.

Look at President Carter and his wife; they have redefined retirement. Their global initiatives, their compassionate involvement in Habitats for Humanity, their travel and committment to improving the lives of so many people, have been an inspiration to all of us, young and old.

So, join your senior center, the sewing circle, and the garden club. But, don't stop there. Get on the web and join groups that sing your song, whether it is a song about environmental concerns or economic wealth, join and participate with all your heart and health and wealth. Leave a legacy of caring and speaking out; especially in areas where nobody is speaking out; especially in areas where most people fear to go. I'm talking about causes that get you up in the morning, causes that will affect children and others who are not strong enough to speak for themselves.

And stop complaining about the new technology, how it sucks up all our time. Use the same technology for the greater good. Join, and use any and all tools you are comfortable using. Walk to your neighbor's house and discuss common safety, talk to your grandchild about the environment at school, email your friends with updates on environmental sensitive areas in your state. Read, write, speak out. We are fully alive.