I share some of your sentiments. I remember being with you at Bishop Diego. You were told you couldn't wear flip-flops and your response was "Why? Jesus wore sandals!" The next thing I knew, you were at San Marcos!
Time has flown by! Marcia and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on Jan 4. We are going on a cruise in Florida to celebrate. My grandson got married this May! I'm still working at Tremblay Financial with my wife, Marcia, my daughter, Vanessa, my son, Troy, and my granddaughter, Madison. If I want to see my family, I go to work!
My faith is the "Rock" in my life. I know that I will be with the LORD when I'm finished here. I had a "near-death experience" I'd like to tell you about. This fallen world is full of joys and sorrows. we must make the most of each day and keep looking for the good stuff.
I'd love to take you out for a cup of coffee someday soon...
Happy New Year, and God bless you, my friend. Stay the course!
Great article . Fear of death is the most universal human concern. When we are young, it’s out of our thoughts , and as we age, its inevitability is unavoidable. The Biblical narrative is that an eternal God created us in His image, and we choose what happens after our bodies fail. Each one of us has a soul that is going somewhere. Our hope is in an eternity in what is called heaven. Jesus told his disciples He was going to prepare a place for them. This is our hope. Our eternal destination is a choice that can only made here on earth, however. Happy New Year!
I'll be celebrating my 80th birthday on Ground Hogs Day. I remember my granddad saying at about my present-day age he was ready to "go." Granddad always called me a young whippersnapper. He lived to 100 by himself in Avon Park, FL with full mental awareness; physically OK and smoking his pipe non-stop; he read the bible a lot. The years come and go. I've still got a lot of projects to work on and that keeps me busy. I just take it one day at a time and always have something to do. My curiosity about everything hasn't decreased.
Anyone with kids joining the workforce I recommend the following: (1) Be better at your work than the others ... meaning spend more time, even at home, (2) Do something you like to do, preferably something you love to do, (3) Ideally work should be fun, when it isn't, then move on, (4) Never underestimate your value to your employer (after all, they are looking at you as a "good deal," ... if you double your salary in five years, that means you were considered "cheap," (5) Never, ever be a hallway monitor at work ... chatting in the hallway is seen by bosses and you'll be on top of the layoff list, (6) Your work should standout above others, (7) When your picked to work on things because it's believed you are the only one that can do the work ... you know you're doing the right thing. When I worked at Digital Instruments, the German interns would come into my office looking for work-related advice. They were like human sponges. They really wanted to be on top of their game.
Love all that insight Bill. It's another thing I think about getting older. We spent all those years to get here, to finally gather some wisdom, and then we're gone, taking it all with us. If younger ones would listen we can try and pass some of that along but these days phones are their lives. We're just old people who become invisible.
Ever wonder how we get to where we are today? Over the years, when work gets boring, I've sought out new territory for work which results in a new combination of events. Sometimes I have to think we are predestined to be involved with different environments for the purpose of acting on new challenges. Is it in the genes or is something "pulling our strings" that we don't see. Sort of a Twighlight Zone experience of being played like puppets. For one person staying at the same job and place their whole lives might not have that sense, but I do ... someone is pulling my strings <g>.
Great article again Henry, as all of your are. I do have a suggestion for you to slow time down. If you can (this might be too late) have your mother inn law move in with you. We did that about 20 years ago and up until the time she left this planet, time REALLY slowed down. Days and evenings would just DRAG by. And alternative would be to find something you really loath and do it more often. Just my suggestion. Happy New Year!!!
Finallly….a newsletter entry I can get behind 150%. A non-partisan totally human sharing of one’s life experience. I’m a peer. I so completely get it. My guiding light is to be kind. I think about it every day and that’s how i want to leave when it’s my time. For now…it’s letting myself let go of work, time with family, travel to New Zealand and Greece this year, lots of exercise, waking up grateful, loving the oaks outside my windows and appreciating that we’re all fellow travelers. I have a birthday in a few days. It’s a lot to swallow since I don’t identify with my age. I’m active, healthy and strong but I am aware that will go away at some point. May the New Year bring you joy and peace and an appreciation of your very unique life.
Thank you for sharing your memories, the years go by so fast, just like sand going through an hour glass. Each New Year’s gives me a chance to think of past years. I remember graduating from San Marcos, 2 weeks later I was in Army Basic Training. I would come home every New Year’s on leave to see friends and family. After the Army, I left the area for 20 years and came back almost to the day, been here ever since. Raised kids who are now adults, they have moved on and it does seem surreal. Most local kids it seems, move on due to the high expense here. My kids tell me the only kids left behind are those who still live with their parents.
It dawned on me on many morning walks with my Vizslas that the more New Years that past, the fewer we have left. Dylan, said in one of his songs “time is an ocean, but it ends at the shore.” May God bless our Country, give us the wisdom, strength and courage we all long for.
May God also bless those killed and suffering in New Orleans this New Year’s Day.
Really very well done personal article. At 81 I can identify with much of what is written here, especially about fleeting time, but I have grandchildren: one studying geology at UC San Diego; another graduating this year at Bishop and another entering Bishop next fall. They keep me positive.
Regarding coming to grips with death, I am reminded of one of my favorite Woody Allen one-liners: “I am not afraid of death, I just don’t wanna be there when it happens.”
A great article, Henry, and one that I think a good portion of us can relate to. It is also a wonderful way to start a brand new year out; with hope for better days ahead. Happy New Year to us all!
Happy New Year, Henry, and thanks for writing this thought provoking piece. I like your advice of seeking to brighten the days of others with gestures that recognize their humanity. We need this more than ever, I think.
I also really appreciate your sharing the experience of letting go of thinking you can control everything and how that made you lose your fear of death and your thoughts on the afterlife. I am currently reading a translation and curated by Prof. Peter Kreeft of the thoughts of genius scientist, philosopher, theologian Blaise Pascal called "Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal's Pensees." His most famous concept is called "Pascal's Wager." If there is no God and no heaven and no hell and you believe in Him and act according to Christian teaching, what have you lost? If there is a God and a heaven and hell and you seek to live a life according to God's commandments as we have been told them, then you have a much improved eternity.
But putting the afterlife to one side, I think one of the biggest mistakes we have made in The West is taking on the hubris required to abandon God. This allows us to imagine ourselves in the driver's seat, but that comes with a lot of pressure. If on the other hand, we recall that we cannot create like God clearly can and has and that we cannot control so many of the things that affect our lives so we just put it all into God's hands and have faith that the best we can do is to follow Christ's teaching as well as possible, it takes away a lot of pressure and, as far as I can see, leads to a lot of good.
Young people may not be able to hear what you are trying to say, but we oldsters sure can. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the next big chapter. Le fin.
There was a little book a lot of us were reading back in the in the Great Navel-Gazing Era of the 80-90's, when SBCC Adult Ed Mind Superman series filled the Lobero Theater with speakers, still leaving long lines still winding around block wanting to get in. The book was "When Bad Things Happen to Good People". Back in the days when The Earthing Book Store carried all the titles linked to the Mind Superman series.
In essence it concluded we have little control over the bad that will come into our lives, but we do have control over how we react to them Our peace then comes knowing we have inner strengths that will withstand these difficult times. Each can seek their own chosen path for this inner strength. But we must have one. That is our inherent spiritual dimension.
Mr. Schultz, thank you for your article on this New Years morning. Your reflections on time are so relevant. I always reflect on time gone by each New Year’s Eve and was remembering giving birth to my son on that day in 1957! He just had his 67th birthday!!!! Where does the time go?
There was a successful Broadway show with a song I have adopted in my “Golden Years”! The best of times is now!!! Make the most of every day, love life and spread that love! Thank you for your article!!!
Tim you blew away remembering me saying that about Jesus wearing sandals. I've told that story so many times and it's probably one of the (many) reasons I was kicked out of Bishop. But ironically I have so many ties to all those who I went to school there with. In some ways I was doubly blessed having made friends in two schools. Congratulations on your 50th. A lot of us from that era are still married. And thank you all for the kind words. May 2025 truly be a big year of joy and change.
Great article Henry - thanks. I’m also gettin’ old but ok health and super appreciative of all the good years and good times I’ve had.
It seems like yesterday I was just a broke college kid trying to ‘get lucky’ like everyone else. How?
- Stop by the cemetery and ‘borrow’ flowers for my dates. I needed ‘em more than they did!
- Take off one of my cowboy boots at a bar and pour a girl’s drink in it and drink it
- Ask a girl at a party if she’d like to ‘come over to my place’ after finding a closet in the house where we could ‘hang out’ (make out - more like it.)
I had an old pickup truck. I’d put a tarp in the back and fill it with water - my pals and I would be in our bathing suits and ride around town drinking beer and whistling at the girls.
I worked at the Biltmore garage parking cars, and was a night watchman at La Cumbre Country Club.
Like you, I was sure I was gonna live forever. But now . . . “At my back I seem to hear, time’s winged chariot drawing near.”
I plan on going out, well, maybe not in style, but on my own terms. I had plans for a beautiful swan dive off the Golden Gate bridge, but dammit! some knucklehead added netting, now I gotta figure Plan B!
Looking for that sweet spot between spending down a nest egg, and retaining it to provide for long-term memory care. Each surviving year after the first four score changes this equation. Go with the averages, or the fact the last Pearl Harbor survivor just died at age 105?
This is your best article. Thank you for capturing such thoughts and feelings.
I went to San Roque with you and on to Bishop. I also worked for your amazing Dad on Overpass when he had his green caddy. He was a wonderful boss and we had the best Christmas parties.
May our 70’s, 80’s and 90’s be filled with hope and strength in body and soul.
A beautiful reflection, Henry Schulte. I was fortunate to be able to sail with your late father many times in the Santa Barbara Channel while I worked for his friends designing buildings. I can recall how he went to church on Sunday morning while in Acapulco. And yes, live music concerts in the late 60's were special! Jimi Hendrix tearing the strings off his guitar and setting it on fire. The 60's verse "...time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me..." May God Bless you and everyone.
Can't offer advice re slowing down time ... but CAN tell you I LOVED this life-reflection. May you and your loved ones enjoy a happy, healthy 2025. And may that grandson find his way in this challenging world...
Henry, this is your best article!
I share some of your sentiments. I remember being with you at Bishop Diego. You were told you couldn't wear flip-flops and your response was "Why? Jesus wore sandals!" The next thing I knew, you were at San Marcos!
Time has flown by! Marcia and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on Jan 4. We are going on a cruise in Florida to celebrate. My grandson got married this May! I'm still working at Tremblay Financial with my wife, Marcia, my daughter, Vanessa, my son, Troy, and my granddaughter, Madison. If I want to see my family, I go to work!
My faith is the "Rock" in my life. I know that I will be with the LORD when I'm finished here. I had a "near-death experience" I'd like to tell you about. This fallen world is full of joys and sorrows. we must make the most of each day and keep looking for the good stuff.
I'd love to take you out for a cup of coffee someday soon...
Happy New Year, and God bless you, my friend. Stay the course!
Great article . Fear of death is the most universal human concern. When we are young, it’s out of our thoughts , and as we age, its inevitability is unavoidable. The Biblical narrative is that an eternal God created us in His image, and we choose what happens after our bodies fail. Each one of us has a soul that is going somewhere. Our hope is in an eternity in what is called heaven. Jesus told his disciples He was going to prepare a place for them. This is our hope. Our eternal destination is a choice that can only made here on earth, however. Happy New Year!
I'll be celebrating my 80th birthday on Ground Hogs Day. I remember my granddad saying at about my present-day age he was ready to "go." Granddad always called me a young whippersnapper. He lived to 100 by himself in Avon Park, FL with full mental awareness; physically OK and smoking his pipe non-stop; he read the bible a lot. The years come and go. I've still got a lot of projects to work on and that keeps me busy. I just take it one day at a time and always have something to do. My curiosity about everything hasn't decreased.
Anyone with kids joining the workforce I recommend the following: (1) Be better at your work than the others ... meaning spend more time, even at home, (2) Do something you like to do, preferably something you love to do, (3) Ideally work should be fun, when it isn't, then move on, (4) Never underestimate your value to your employer (after all, they are looking at you as a "good deal," ... if you double your salary in five years, that means you were considered "cheap," (5) Never, ever be a hallway monitor at work ... chatting in the hallway is seen by bosses and you'll be on top of the layoff list, (6) Your work should standout above others, (7) When your picked to work on things because it's believed you are the only one that can do the work ... you know you're doing the right thing. When I worked at Digital Instruments, the German interns would come into my office looking for work-related advice. They were like human sponges. They really wanted to be on top of their game.
Love all that insight Bill. It's another thing I think about getting older. We spent all those years to get here, to finally gather some wisdom, and then we're gone, taking it all with us. If younger ones would listen we can try and pass some of that along but these days phones are their lives. We're just old people who become invisible.
Ever wonder how we get to where we are today? Over the years, when work gets boring, I've sought out new territory for work which results in a new combination of events. Sometimes I have to think we are predestined to be involved with different environments for the purpose of acting on new challenges. Is it in the genes or is something "pulling our strings" that we don't see. Sort of a Twighlight Zone experience of being played like puppets. For one person staying at the same job and place their whole lives might not have that sense, but I do ... someone is pulling my strings <g>.
Great article again Henry, as all of your are. I do have a suggestion for you to slow time down. If you can (this might be too late) have your mother inn law move in with you. We did that about 20 years ago and up until the time she left this planet, time REALLY slowed down. Days and evenings would just DRAG by. And alternative would be to find something you really loath and do it more often. Just my suggestion. Happy New Year!!!
HAHAHA HAH! SO FUNNY!
Finallly….a newsletter entry I can get behind 150%. A non-partisan totally human sharing of one’s life experience. I’m a peer. I so completely get it. My guiding light is to be kind. I think about it every day and that’s how i want to leave when it’s my time. For now…it’s letting myself let go of work, time with family, travel to New Zealand and Greece this year, lots of exercise, waking up grateful, loving the oaks outside my windows and appreciating that we’re all fellow travelers. I have a birthday in a few days. It’s a lot to swallow since I don’t identify with my age. I’m active, healthy and strong but I am aware that will go away at some point. May the New Year bring you joy and peace and an appreciation of your very unique life.
Happy Birthday! Embrace your age since only with experience can we gain wisdom. You earned it!
Thank you for sharing your memories, the years go by so fast, just like sand going through an hour glass. Each New Year’s gives me a chance to think of past years. I remember graduating from San Marcos, 2 weeks later I was in Army Basic Training. I would come home every New Year’s on leave to see friends and family. After the Army, I left the area for 20 years and came back almost to the day, been here ever since. Raised kids who are now adults, they have moved on and it does seem surreal. Most local kids it seems, move on due to the high expense here. My kids tell me the only kids left behind are those who still live with their parents.
It dawned on me on many morning walks with my Vizslas that the more New Years that past, the fewer we have left. Dylan, said in one of his songs “time is an ocean, but it ends at the shore.” May God bless our Country, give us the wisdom, strength and courage we all long for.
May God also bless those killed and suffering in New Orleans this New Year’s Day.
Really very well done personal article. At 81 I can identify with much of what is written here, especially about fleeting time, but I have grandchildren: one studying geology at UC San Diego; another graduating this year at Bishop and another entering Bishop next fall. They keep me positive.
Regarding coming to grips with death, I am reminded of one of my favorite Woody Allen one-liners: “I am not afraid of death, I just don’t wanna be there when it happens.”
A great article, Henry, and one that I think a good portion of us can relate to. It is also a wonderful way to start a brand new year out; with hope for better days ahead. Happy New Year to us all!
Happy New Year, Henry, and thanks for writing this thought provoking piece. I like your advice of seeking to brighten the days of others with gestures that recognize their humanity. We need this more than ever, I think.
I also really appreciate your sharing the experience of letting go of thinking you can control everything and how that made you lose your fear of death and your thoughts on the afterlife. I am currently reading a translation and curated by Prof. Peter Kreeft of the thoughts of genius scientist, philosopher, theologian Blaise Pascal called "Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal's Pensees." His most famous concept is called "Pascal's Wager." If there is no God and no heaven and no hell and you believe in Him and act according to Christian teaching, what have you lost? If there is a God and a heaven and hell and you seek to live a life according to God's commandments as we have been told them, then you have a much improved eternity.
But putting the afterlife to one side, I think one of the biggest mistakes we have made in The West is taking on the hubris required to abandon God. This allows us to imagine ourselves in the driver's seat, but that comes with a lot of pressure. If on the other hand, we recall that we cannot create like God clearly can and has and that we cannot control so many of the things that affect our lives so we just put it all into God's hands and have faith that the best we can do is to follow Christ's teaching as well as possible, it takes away a lot of pressure and, as far as I can see, leads to a lot of good.
Young people may not be able to hear what you are trying to say, but we oldsters sure can. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the next big chapter. Le fin.
There was a little book a lot of us were reading back in the in the Great Navel-Gazing Era of the 80-90's, when SBCC Adult Ed Mind Superman series filled the Lobero Theater with speakers, still leaving long lines still winding around block wanting to get in. The book was "When Bad Things Happen to Good People". Back in the days when The Earthing Book Store carried all the titles linked to the Mind Superman series.
In essence it concluded we have little control over the bad that will come into our lives, but we do have control over how we react to them Our peace then comes knowing we have inner strengths that will withstand these difficult times. Each can seek their own chosen path for this inner strength. But we must have one. That is our inherent spiritual dimension.
Mr. Schultz, thank you for your article on this New Years morning. Your reflections on time are so relevant. I always reflect on time gone by each New Year’s Eve and was remembering giving birth to my son on that day in 1957! He just had his 67th birthday!!!! Where does the time go?
There was a successful Broadway show with a song I have adopted in my “Golden Years”! The best of times is now!!! Make the most of every day, love life and spread that love! Thank you for your article!!!
Tim you blew away remembering me saying that about Jesus wearing sandals. I've told that story so many times and it's probably one of the (many) reasons I was kicked out of Bishop. But ironically I have so many ties to all those who I went to school there with. In some ways I was doubly blessed having made friends in two schools. Congratulations on your 50th. A lot of us from that era are still married. And thank you all for the kind words. May 2025 truly be a big year of joy and change.
Henry, can I take you out to dinner when I return from our “anniversary cruise?” Call me at 8055691982.
Happy New Year!
Best,
Tim
We'll touch base upon your return. Enjoy
What’s your contact info?
Great article Henry - thanks. I’m also gettin’ old but ok health and super appreciative of all the good years and good times I’ve had.
It seems like yesterday I was just a broke college kid trying to ‘get lucky’ like everyone else. How?
- Stop by the cemetery and ‘borrow’ flowers for my dates. I needed ‘em more than they did!
- Take off one of my cowboy boots at a bar and pour a girl’s drink in it and drink it
- Ask a girl at a party if she’d like to ‘come over to my place’ after finding a closet in the house where we could ‘hang out’ (make out - more like it.)
I had an old pickup truck. I’d put a tarp in the back and fill it with water - my pals and I would be in our bathing suits and ride around town drinking beer and whistling at the girls.
I worked at the Biltmore garage parking cars, and was a night watchman at La Cumbre Country Club.
Like you, I was sure I was gonna live forever. But now . . . “At my back I seem to hear, time’s winged chariot drawing near.”
I plan on going out, well, maybe not in style, but on my own terms. I had plans for a beautiful swan dive off the Golden Gate bridge, but dammit! some knucklehead added netting, now I gotta figure Plan B!
Looking for that sweet spot between spending down a nest egg, and retaining it to provide for long-term memory care. Each surviving year after the first four score changes this equation. Go with the averages, or the fact the last Pearl Harbor survivor just died at age 105?
Won't happen , ever.
Negative Dan, so sad.
"Things ain't what they used to be and never were."
- Will Rogers
Yes, and Trumpism will save no one. Sorry Pat.
Dan, Pat is correct. No good reason for you to say that. And no good reason to say she is delusional, I think you’re the one who is delusional..
One wonders the purpose of your venting that obsession in a place where so many evidence a positive hope.
Thank you, Pat. There was no good reason for him to say that.
OMG, Pat, you are delusional. And I say that as nicely as I can.
This is your best article. Thank you for capturing such thoughts and feelings.
I went to San Roque with you and on to Bishop. I also worked for your amazing Dad on Overpass when he had his green caddy. He was a wonderful boss and we had the best Christmas parties.
May our 70’s, 80’s and 90’s be filled with hope and strength in body and soul.
Janet Nilsson Fanucchi
A beautiful reflection, Henry Schulte. I was fortunate to be able to sail with your late father many times in the Santa Barbara Channel while I worked for his friends designing buildings. I can recall how he went to church on Sunday morning while in Acapulco. And yes, live music concerts in the late 60's were special! Jimi Hendrix tearing the strings off his guitar and setting it on fire. The 60's verse "...time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me..." May God Bless you and everyone.
Can't offer advice re slowing down time ... but CAN tell you I LOVED this life-reflection. May you and your loved ones enjoy a happy, healthy 2025. And may that grandson find his way in this challenging world...
HAHAHAHAHAH!SO FUNNY!