E. Betty Levin: Becoming Age 92–Joining the 90’s Crowd

Inspired by Mel Brooks, Norman Lear and Carl Reiner, ages 90, 94 and 95 respectively, an HBO documentary was created, “If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast.” I’ve somewhat joined their organization. Not that I have their talent and humor, I’ve nevertheless somewhat entered their sphere, feeling full of ‘piss and vinegar.’
My presentation will discuss this unique time, full of gratitude, awe, sense of fun — how do you make it count? Yes, I possess some health issues. As long as I can keep them under control with reasonable efforts, I will use whatever time I have as meaningfully as possible. As an Ethical Culture humanist — trying to create a more humane world and bringing out the best in others and thus myself — if I possessed unlimited power, my sense of justice would continuously prevail to bring fairness to all of society worldwide. But no one possesses that ability, so we humans here in the USA are confined mostly to participatory democracy and free speech, available by the privilege of our unique and precious US Constitution. Just think — those early courageous mutinous citizens risked hanging by the British King by asserting their passions for freedom and justice.
Thus, finding meaning for my time rewards me, continually shaping me, sometimes in despair to think my final epoch includes the destructive, ignorant forces of the Trump era. Yet, I note a new awakening as sensitive citizens respond with enlivened force to assert fresh energy to ‘matter’. Perhaps that is the irony of life — to never relinquish hope, using whatever creativity and positive energy we possess to hopefully make a difference. Meanwhile, to learn well from one’s errors and grant forgiveness.
While thus occupied, laugh and have fun along the way as long as life continues, with 90 the new 65! — E. Betty Levin