by Barry Phegan | Mar 21, 2021 | Aging, Living Life
In these Over 70 years, I cherish doing things that make me feel good — simple enjoyment. High on my feel-good list is the intimacy created by openness, closeness, and being vulnerable. Mostly this intimacy is with family and friends through more honest...
by Barry Phegan | Dec 31, 2020 | Aging, Social comment
On Boxing Day, I spoke with my mother-in-law. She is 97. I mentioned that my ongoing New Year project is focusing on how to best spend my remaining years and how acutely aware I am how few they may be. She said, “Tell me about it!” She has increasing aches and...
by Barry Phegan | Dec 2, 2020 | Aging, Living Life
A friend invited me to join an online Zoom panel titled, “My Philosophy”. I demurred because I wasn’t sure I had a philosophy (of life). It turns out that I do. It’s a set of beliefs about what is a Person, and some insights I have on one particular person,...
by Barry Phegan | Oct 31, 2020 | Aging, Social comment
Conflicting cultural norms and expectations can spring up in unexpected places. Spilled movie-popcorn led me to rethink some lifelong assumptions and question my wisdom. Scene (Part I): Conflict in the Lobby It’s pre-COVID. I’m at the movie theater with my...
by Barry Phegan | Jun 30, 2020 | Aging, Living Life, Social comment
Sometimes a simple event transforms a person’s anxiety into elation. I’ve learned that I can be that transformer for my grandchildren. In our all-too-busy consumer culture, where life may at times feel like a task, I’ll parachute into my grandson’s...
by Barry Phegan | Mar 20, 2020 | Aging, Living Life, Social comment
Thursday, 3/12/2020 — Ambivalence Just one week ago, I flew from San Francisco airport to Seattle airport, then on to Wenatchee, WA, where my daughter and two grandchildren live. I’d waffled for days, “Should I go? What is the risk? If I don’t go now would...
