Gregory's Latest Interactions
Posted on: Dec 23, 2023 at 10:32 AM
I never understood what an Octogenarian was.
Now I ® one.
Born less than two hours before Christmas, Dr. Reed Rich accomplished what five previous physicians could not: deliver my Mother and Father a living child. Their only other son did not live past one. That small Bear Lake hospital on the second floor of the Fair Store proved to be more of a miracle to my parents than any manger anywhere.
What my father was doing in the middle of the 1943 winter in Southeastern Idaho connected directly to the Second World War and our needs for critical and strategic minerals. Later, he served on the High Pacific Command, applying his geologic skills to missions, many of which remain classified today. Day one of my journey to becoming an Octogenarian began in a 12-bed hospital long demolished from Washington Street, Montpellier, Idaho. Now 80 years of age, I ponder what I have accomplished and what is expected of me to do.
Not being sure about this exclusive club, I googled a new fashion AI-based net program for research and statistical data to ponder. The life expectancy in the United States when I was born was 61 years. Now it is 77 years. Today, 3.7 of the population is between 80 and 89, with 5.6 of the US population over 80. By 2060, they estimate that 14.5 % will be us older folks. You have to bet the insurance industry is keenly aware of both the burden and opportunity looming in our future.
According to Google's AI search engine BARD, "Octogenarians are a diverse group of people who have lived through many different experiences. They come from all walks of life and have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share. They are often respected for their age and experience and are sometimes called "elders." Some people may use the term "octogenarian" in a negative way to stereotype older people as being frail or out of touch." Looks like I qualify on that one.
Loaded with all these definitions, stereotypes, expectations, suggestions, and insights, I feel a twinge of guilt for living longer than previous generations and doing things that today appear inappropriate.
Between 1943 and today, using the technologies and resources available, we built the United States into the most powerful and prosperous nation on the planet. We produced more and eliminated more waste, creating new products and uses. We advanced and institutionalized the concept of preserving parts of the Earth. New industries replaced and challenged our minds beyond the common standard of living before WWII. Thanks to advances in our medical sector, we defend our bodies from attacks better than nature, replace parts that wear out, and protect ourselves from the changing extremes common on Earth by building inhabitable living spaces. We have essentially eliminated natural selection, and for the first time ever in 4.5 Billion years of history/evolution, we believe we can control the Earth.
So why do I feel guilty? We used what we had and created new technologies, products, food, comfort, and, most uniquely, time, not building, hunting, gathering, or defending. No other living thing on this rock has ever done that. I am proud of what we did and my part in accomplishing it. But do we know what we are doing now: did we ever? We are conflicted over what some say we do to the Earth. Nothing happening today has not happened tenfold more in Earth's past except for Humans. Our collective fear is what we do to ourselves; the Earth will do just fine; it always has.
My guilty twinge is for us believing humans control life, Earth, nature, and natural phenomena. The media appears exempt from sticking to the truth, and most leaders, reporters, students, and causes seem discouraged from researching the history of the Earth or learning any of its lessons. It makes me wonder if becoming an octogenarian is a reward. I qualify, yet I do not feel privileged but somewhat underappreciated for following the values and hard-working principles we invested to get here. We used what we had, fed and clothed societies, grew the global population to 8 billion, and built incredible technologies. Yet, somehow, it becomes 'my' fault humans war, waste, can't adapt, put fear above science, and need to control what they do not like even if they can't. I do hope our wisdom and counsel will be sought or considered. We have considerable to contribute.
Posted on: Nov 29, 2023 at 5:34 AM
Sally Addicott (McKelvey)'s sister Judy Addicott (Bowen passed in September following a courageous bout with Frontal Temporal Dementia. We miss her beyond feelings can embrace. Sally Addicott (McKelvey) was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and is under periodic cognitive / memory testing. It is not dementia, but it might head in that direction. While no known cure exists, new medications and supplements can slow the potential progression. Slowing down and better managing our expectations returns us to a reasonable quality of life. Greg McKelvey continues to battle off and on again, Crohn's flares, stage 3 kidney disease, and sometimes debilitating reflux pains. At 80 years old, it could be a whole lot worse. Greg's camera remains active, and writing brings tremendous satisfaction.
Posted on: Dec 24, 2022 at 1:33 AM
Posted on: May 27, 2021 at 9:03 AM
Happy happy birthday Tom. Remember all your model airplanes and the "action days" when you put them in combat!!! fond memories
Happy Birthday good buddy. all is ok here
thanks for the kind birthday wishes. may 2021 be more than what we dreamed 2020 would be .
the happiest of holidays and a good new year. best to you good man
A bit of Bill, thanks to his being a good and honest man, lives in all of us. thank you Bill for who you were and how you touched the soul and spirit in us.
Sally & Greg