It is perplexing, and there is no plan at any level, unless family steps in, or the rare and authentic community that thinks forward about the neighbors and provides for "aging in place." I think that could happen in our very small town and county, but not in our time-frame and needs.
And I agree with your concerns for the future. I have had a rich and varied life, and known more comfort and joy than I deserved. But I think I have seen enough. And I think I see enough. Looking back, looking forward-- I welcome going ahead. See you on the other side.
Sorry to hear about your dilemma. I have enjoyed your books and Fragments from Floyd website that have traced your journey through the years. Your stay on Goose Creek was idyllic. Now that you are contemplating another move, you should consider Warm Hearth Village near Blacksburg. They offer a continuum of care for folks needing some extra help and more. Reinventing Retirement | Warm Hearth Village.
I know many people who have retired to Warm Hearth and enjoy the surroundings. It is near a wooded area with paths for those who like to wander outdoors. I live in Blacksburg and would be delighted to have you as a neighbor.
Please include me among your companions. I look forward to following you as you continue along the path ahead.
From AI:
Aging is a journey we all must take, A path that leads us to the forest’s wake. The sidewalk ends, the trees begin, A new adventure, a chance to win.
The forest path is full of life, A place to leave behind the strife. The leaves crunch underfoot with ease, A sound that brings a sense of peace.
The trees stand tall, their branches wide, A place to rest, a place to hide. The sun shines through the canopy, A light that guides us, sets us free.
The path ahead is long and winding, A journey that is never-ending. But with each step, we grow and learn, A chance to change, a chance to turn.
So step off the sidewalk, take the leap, Embrace the forest, let your soul keep. For aging is a journey we all must take, A path that leads us to the forest’s wake.
Fred, I'm sure others will back me up when I say we will follow and wait with baited breath for your future stories. Thank you for yet another thoughtful and erudite observation on the whyfores and wherenesses of life itself <3
Fred, I hear you and completely understand from whence you come. Kenju and I are both 83 now. My life force dwindles with every breath I take. I can see the end of my path from here. I have no plans for tramping along any side paths that might appear as I go from day to day. I do not have the dexterity I once had, so typing is a real challenge. There is only myself, my wife and two middle-aged daughters making up my immediate family. We had this house built in 1987. It has served us well. I for one have no plans for transitioning to another dwelling. They will carry me out of this place that I have come to love. My wife is 12 years my junior and stays in this world with the aid of a heart device.
She is most of what sustains me. I still drive our 2015 model car. Our beloved dog, Sarge is almost 13 now. He is slowing down also. It's hard to keep up with all the changes in our world. I fear for the continuation of our country more than my own life. The struggle increases and my strength wains. I pray that I don't live long enough to see its' demise. I don't think God is impressed by our motto. It is obvious that we don't really mean it. Walk on my friend. Go while you can and are able to. I appreciate you and have for many years now.
At 83, and newly widowed, I am somewhat in your same predicament. I do have daughters close by, and they are a God-send, but when I need assisted living, I don't want it to be with them (God forbid). I'm walking a precarious path, as you are. I pray we all can come to good conclusions about our futures.
I hope you are way ahead of needing to move. With my disabled husband I moved into one of those three level care Senior living facilities and found it very pleasant. I was only 76 when he died so I moved back to a normal apartment in my old neighborhood, near friends and doctors and activities. Average age of the seniors in the independent living portion of my facility was about 90. I was way too young!
Of course a house and large property like yours are much less appropriate than a small apartment like I have. I hope to live here for at least a half dozen more years, (until I am 86), depending on unforeseen health challenges.
I am about 20 years behind you, but we are already having these conversations.
We sold the McMansion in the DC suburbs and moved to Richmond in Nov 2017 with the plan to rent here for 18 months while we figured out our next move. During COVID I built a spreadsheet with a list of cities that seemed like places we'd like to live on the Y-axis and about a dozen quality-of-life factors on the X-axis, all filled in with data from reputable online sources and weighted based on what was important to us. My expectation was that the spreadsheet would proclaim, "Go West, young man."
Instead, it told us to move to Charleston SC, or stay in Richmond. When I dug into the data, access to healthcare, which I measured via doctors per 100k residents, is exceptionally high in RVA. Also, there are few places where you are a 2-hour drive from both mountains and a sandy warm weather beach, and SoCal was never on the list anyway. So after some more stalling because I really thought I wanted to go west, we close on a townhouse here in Richmond early in 2024. The plan is to stay here until I retire, which is probably 10 years out, then go full-time in an RV for a couple of years to explore all the places we can drive to.
Fred, it is happening to so many of us. Much as I prefer the Lanark highlands, the hamlet is no place for an old hen like me, particularly one who is alone (with her dog of course). McD's Corners has a church, a general store and a forge, and that is all. May I pick up my scrip and walking stick and join you on your journey?
It is perplexing, and there is no plan at any level, unless family steps in, or the rare and authentic community that thinks forward about the neighbors and provides for "aging in place." I think that could happen in our very small town and county, but not in our time-frame and needs.
And I agree with your concerns for the future. I have had a rich and varied life, and known more comfort and joy than I deserved. But I think I have seen enough. And I think I see enough. Looking back, looking forward-- I welcome going ahead. See you on the other side.
Hey Fred,
Sorry to hear about your dilemma. I have enjoyed your books and Fragments from Floyd website that have traced your journey through the years. Your stay on Goose Creek was idyllic. Now that you are contemplating another move, you should consider Warm Hearth Village near Blacksburg. They offer a continuum of care for folks needing some extra help and more. Reinventing Retirement | Warm Hearth Village.
I know many people who have retired to Warm Hearth and enjoy the surroundings. It is near a wooded area with paths for those who like to wander outdoors. I live in Blacksburg and would be delighted to have you as a neighbor.
Please include me among your companions. I look forward to following you as you continue along the path ahead.
From AI:
Aging is a journey we all must take, A path that leads us to the forest’s wake. The sidewalk ends, the trees begin, A new adventure, a chance to win.
The forest path is full of life, A place to leave behind the strife. The leaves crunch underfoot with ease, A sound that brings a sense of peace.
The trees stand tall, their branches wide, A place to rest, a place to hide. The sun shines through the canopy, A light that guides us, sets us free.
The path ahead is long and winding, A journey that is never-ending. But with each step, we grow and learn, A chance to change, a chance to turn.
So step off the sidewalk, take the leap, Embrace the forest, let your soul keep. For aging is a journey we all must take, A path that leads us to the forest’s wake.
Fred, I'm sure others will back me up when I say we will follow and wait with baited breath for your future stories. Thank you for yet another thoughtful and erudite observation on the whyfores and wherenesses of life itself <3
Fred, I hear you and completely understand from whence you come. Kenju and I are both 83 now. My life force dwindles with every breath I take. I can see the end of my path from here. I have no plans for tramping along any side paths that might appear as I go from day to day. I do not have the dexterity I once had, so typing is a real challenge. There is only myself, my wife and two middle-aged daughters making up my immediate family. We had this house built in 1987. It has served us well. I for one have no plans for transitioning to another dwelling. They will carry me out of this place that I have come to love. My wife is 12 years my junior and stays in this world with the aid of a heart device.
She is most of what sustains me. I still drive our 2015 model car. Our beloved dog, Sarge is almost 13 now. He is slowing down also. It's hard to keep up with all the changes in our world. I fear for the continuation of our country more than my own life. The struggle increases and my strength wains. I pray that I don't live long enough to see its' demise. I don't think God is impressed by our motto. It is obvious that we don't really mean it. Walk on my friend. Go while you can and are able to. I appreciate you and have for many years now.
At 83, and newly widowed, I am somewhat in your same predicament. I do have daughters close by, and they are a God-send, but when I need assisted living, I don't want it to be with them (God forbid). I'm walking a precarious path, as you are. I pray we all can come to good conclusions about our futures.
I hope you are way ahead of needing to move. With my disabled husband I moved into one of those three level care Senior living facilities and found it very pleasant. I was only 76 when he died so I moved back to a normal apartment in my old neighborhood, near friends and doctors and activities. Average age of the seniors in the independent living portion of my facility was about 90. I was way too young!
Of course a house and large property like yours are much less appropriate than a small apartment like I have. I hope to live here for at least a half dozen more years, (until I am 86), depending on unforeseen health challenges.
Beautifully written. Many of us are there. And, we are here if we can do anything.
Walking that same path. Currently-and very slowly- cleaning out what's no longer needed after my previous move in 2005. Take care and keep us posted.
I am about 20 years behind you, but we are already having these conversations.
We sold the McMansion in the DC suburbs and moved to Richmond in Nov 2017 with the plan to rent here for 18 months while we figured out our next move. During COVID I built a spreadsheet with a list of cities that seemed like places we'd like to live on the Y-axis and about a dozen quality-of-life factors on the X-axis, all filled in with data from reputable online sources and weighted based on what was important to us. My expectation was that the spreadsheet would proclaim, "Go West, young man."
Instead, it told us to move to Charleston SC, or stay in Richmond. When I dug into the data, access to healthcare, which I measured via doctors per 100k residents, is exceptionally high in RVA. Also, there are few places where you are a 2-hour drive from both mountains and a sandy warm weather beach, and SoCal was never on the list anyway. So after some more stalling because I really thought I wanted to go west, we close on a townhouse here in Richmond early in 2024. The plan is to stay here until I retire, which is probably 10 years out, then go full-time in an RV for a couple of years to explore all the places we can drive to.
Fred, it is happening to so many of us. Much as I prefer the Lanark highlands, the hamlet is no place for an old hen like me, particularly one who is alone (with her dog of course). McD's Corners has a church, a general store and a forge, and that is all. May I pick up my scrip and walking stick and join you on your journey?