Pack Creek Ranch, Moab, Utah
Suddenly the monsoon season is upon us – thunderstorms, flash flood warnings, and cooler weather – September is in sight.
LAWS OF LOOSE ENDS – Part One
Though I don’t think about retirement and haven’t written about it, two long-time friends – recently retired at 65 – came for a visit with aging on their minds.
When we had settled on my front porch to drink fine wine and watch the sunset, one opened the conversation with this remark:
“Now that I’m retired, I’m going to tie up a lot of loose ends.”
He went on to explain that he had a habit of making a things-to-do list every day – but always ended up with unfinished items – things that could be postponed because they were not urgent. These he moved to another list – his list of loose ends.
Such as?
Piles of papers to organize and file. The mess in his garage to triage. Then there was the attic to clear up. Minor repairs to malfunctioning appliances. A fence to paint. And on and on. A long list.
He was in good health and now he had lots of time. He had read that a man his age and in his condition could expect to live another 17 years or even more. He had time to tie up all the loose ends.
His travel companion made this sage remark:
“The Law of Loose Ends says that loose ends are infinite. What gets tied up at one end comes untied at the other end. You will die leaving loose ends behind as a legacy for your heirs.”
Silence.
I added that loose ends could also be accommodated along the way. The farmhouse I lived in as a child had a screen door that was warped by weather and was usually stuck unless you lightly kicked the bottom before going out. It worked for years that way. When we were selling the house, I remember my father showing the new owner how to open that sticky screen door. Probably stayed on the loose ends list until the house burned down later.
Problem solved, I suppose.
The conversation with the two retirees went on well into the night. They said I am in denial about aging and dying. Perhaps. Or maybe just accommodating a still loose end. But I have been thinking and will share my thoughts next time in part two of this journal posting.
The photo above is that of a painting by a Greek artist after I had let my hair and beard grow for several months to see what I would look like in old age. I don’t look like that. Not yet.