Nov. 14, 2006

As you know, I had the distinct honor of interviewing Walter Cronkite at our Annual Meeting & Exposition. A wonderful man. He made me feel like we've been friends for years. I marveled at his deep, soothing voice, compelling eyes and authoritative eyebrows. And what a chuckle. It is how I might imagine God would chuckle.

Who is this man Walter Cronkite and how did he earn the "most trusted man in America" designation for more than two generations? The ingredients are no doubt journalistic talents, an engaging personality, the right mix of humility and self confidence, a strong work ethic, a lucky break here and there, integrity and a certain wisdom that comes from experience and mystical realms.

You and I know people — residents, clients, relatives, friends old and young — who were born wise. I call it the "Wisdom of the Ages." Yes, Walter Cronkite possesses the Wisdom of the Ages. He could have been a commentator in the era of Socrates, or during the Renaissance, an advisor to Washington or Lincoln.

People with Wisdom of the Ages help us find meaning in life, rediscover or clarify enduring values and put things in perspective. They redefine paradigms we live in. They ground us in truth and reality, yet compel us to grow beyond where we are. Some of those "Wisdom of the Ages" people live and work in our facilities, though they aren't famous like Walter Cronkite.

For me, Walter Cronkite helped redefine the aging paradigm. I asked him two questions outside the bounds of what is traditionally asked of him.

• Does he think of himself as retired?
• Does he think of himself as old?

His responses: No, he doesn't even use the "R" word. He complained that he isn't busy enough. He wishes CBS would use him for political commentary but he stays engaged in the media through other outlets. He thinks of himself as a journalist, and he voluntarily commented on the Iraq war, as he once did on the Vietnam War.

Fully immersed in the issues of today — and tomorrow. Not just yesterday. Though his hearing is impaired and his gait more cautious, he is clearly a man living to the fullest. No retirement, only adjustments to how he's engaged.

His response to thinking of himself as "old" at 90? "It depends on what I'm trying to do at the time," he chuckled.

His messages to me are that retirement is becoming an antiquated term and chronology is irrelevant. To be replaced by vitality of spirit, ability to stay engaged and refocus of interests.

We should consider a replacement term for "retirement." Instead, let's say we will all enter the "Walterian" era of life, where engagement is adjusted for time, interests and capabilities — God willing.

The Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah are part of the Wisdom of the Ages reflected through Walter Cronkite. God asked Abraham and Sarah (I'm taking liberties with the original text) if they'd be willing to be the father and mother of many nations at an advanced age. Sarah laughed and said they were too old. God responded that he didn't ask them how old they were, he asked them if they'd do something really important. Put that way, they agreed. As I recall, the "retirement" word isn't used in the scriptures.

AAHSA's recent scenario planning study about the future envisions that people like Walter Cronkite are the new archetypes of aging role models. Personally, I hope I live long enough so that when someone asks me how old I am, I can respond, "I am not only old enough for the AARP discount, but I am in the Walterian era of life…I forget exactly how many years that is. Why? Is age important? Do you have something important for me to do?"

"And that's the way it is," to quote Walter Cronkite.

Walter Cronkite's job at 90 is to be the distributor of Wisdom for the Ages. That's a really good job for any of us in that era of life... Ask some of your residents and clients to share the Wisdom of the Ages with you. You might be surprised how it changes your perspective.

Larry

William L. Minnix, Jr., D.Min.
President and CEO

AAHSA
2519 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington DC 20008