Written By Patrick Coolen
As I start a hiatus from writing FTE News Magazine articles for Senior Services, I reviewed the last 9 or so years of contributions to see what sense of enlightenment I may have reached. I do seem to be getting older and not wiser. However, I have had an epiphany or two that I’d like to share:
The family member or friend that offers the most advice will not be the one there when you need help.
Joni Mitchell’s 2000 version of “Both Sides Now” resonates far more than her 1970 version.
The book is almost always better than the movie.
Many newer “documentaries” seem to be less “documentary” than unsubstantiated opinion that is cleverly marketed.
Online newspaper comment sections and community blog sites are usually habituated by trolls who prefer to argue minutiae, whine and insult others from the safety of their dining table or basement office.
Growing your own vegetables is definitely worth the work.
Getting up early can be more fun than staying up late, and traffic is lighter.
Blue skies and sunshine beat gray and rain every time.
Even unattractive people look better when they smile.
Kids will usually understand exactly what you mean if you keep it to one or two short sentences, unlike many adults.
People who are very intelligent sometimes do things that are truly stupid.
People will believe an attractive lie before they accept an ugly truth.
The longer you live, the more things there are that you know absolutely nothing about.
Life is too short for a long face.
You can’t really change other people, but it’s fun to try.
Children are remarkably honest creatures until we teach them not to be.
If you never doubt your beliefs, then you’re wrong a lot.
Charlie Brown was right when he said “There is no problem so big it cannot be run away from.”
Everyone thinks they’re an above average driver.
T.S. Elliot called it “the cruelest month.” April is also National Humor month, which is probably why we start if off with April Fools’ Day, place Tax Day in the middle, and wrap up the end with National Honesty Day and with Arbor Day. By the way, April 15 is also appropriately known as National Griper’s Day and Rubber Eraser Day. This year it has been moved to April 18 as April 15 is a holiday in D.C.-Good Friday. But, then again, you knew that, right?
Supportive Services for Elders and their Families (SSEF) assists those seniors who need help threading their way through the maze of government and community agencies and services. We can help you find a doctor, a dentist or assistance with procuring necessary medications, or find someone to assist with balancing your checkbook or budgeting, or hook you up with appropriate support groups. Contact: Social Services Worker. Glenda Ross, or our Social Services Specialist, Joan Aronovitch, at (360) 586-6181 ext. 101, or Patrick or Carolyn at (360) 586-4491
Have fun, and I’ll look for you around the scuttlebut.
Thought for the Month: “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.” – Oscar Wilde
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