so we’re among friends were all here for a salon on the topic of longevity so I’m
a salon on the topic of longevity so I’m
a salon on the topic of longevity so I’m just gonna come right out and ask the
just gonna come right out and ask the
just gonna come right out and ask the question what’s so great about longevity
question what’s so great about longevity
question what’s so great about longevity anyway
anyway
anyway fifty years ago actually a little more
fifty years ago actually a little more
fifty years ago actually a little more than that 1961 JFK got up and gave his
than that 1961 JFK got up and gave his
than that 1961 JFK got up and gave his most important speech on Aging and he
most important speech on Aging and he
most important speech on Aging and he said we’d added years to life now it’s
said we’d added years to life now it’s
said we’d added years to life now it’s time to add life to those years and
time to add life to those years and
time to add life to those years and we’ve added about a month a year on
we’ve added about a month a year on
we’ve added about a month a year on average since he delivered those words
average since he delivered those words
average since he delivered those words and so here we are 2017 and were
and so here we are 2017 and were
and so here we are 2017 and were obsessed with living even longer and
obsessed with living even longer and
obsessed with living even longer and just as much staying younger and you
just as much staying younger and you
just as much staying younger and you know it was not always this way
know it was not always this way
know it was not always this way go back 400 years the beginning of the
go back 400 years the beginning of the
go back 400 years the beginning of the country the Puritans as much as we are
country the Puritans as much as we are
country the Puritans as much as we are trying to get young they were trying to
trying to get young they were trying to
trying to get young they were trying to get old they lied on the census and said
get old they lied on the census and said
get old they lied on the census and said they were 2 or 3 years older than they
they were 2 or 3 years older than they
they were 2 or 3 years older than they were we do in fact the opposite I think
were we do in fact the opposite I think
were we do in fact the opposite I think we lie and say were 3 years younger than
we lie and say were 3 years younger than
we lie and say were 3 years younger than we are they wore those white wigs and I
we are they wore those white wigs and I
we are they wore those white wigs and I kid you not they had specially trained
kid you not they had specially trained
kid you not they had specially trained tailors who made people look slumped
tailors who made people look slumped
tailors who made people look slumped over and you know when I read that I
over and you know when I read that I
over and you know when I read that I already got the white hair
already got the white hair
already got the white hair I’m already pre slumped I would have
I’m already pre slumped I would have
I’m already pre slumped I would have been a great Puritan I could have been a
been a great Puritan I could have been a
been a great Puritan I could have been a male model in around 1670 if I had only
male model in around 1670 if I had only
male model in around 1670 if I had only had the fortune of being born at the
had the fortune of being born at the
had the fortune of being born at the right time and they had an expression a
right time and they had an expression a
right time and they had an expression a hoary head is a crown of gold and I had
hoary head is a crown of gold and I had
hoary head is a crown of gold and I had to go to the dictionary to see that
to go to the dictionary to see that
to go to the dictionary to see that hoary man white haired and it was
hoary man white haired and it was
hoary man white haired and it was because they felt that age was a sign
because they felt that age was a sign
because they felt that age was a sign from the divine it was a sign of grace
from the divine it was a sign of grace
from the divine it was a sign of grace it meant that you were closer to God so
it meant that you were closer to God so
it meant that you were closer to God so if you fast forward 400 years things are
if you fast forward 400 years things are
if you fast forward 400 years things are a bit different
a bit different
a bit different if anybody doubts that assertion hop
if anybody doubts that assertion hop
if anybody doubts that assertion hop into your car and drive a half hour
into your car and drive a half hour
into your car and drive a half hour south or if you have the traffic I had
south or if you have the traffic I had
south or if you have the traffic I had coming over here today for hours
coming over here today for hours
coming over here today for hours in Silicon Valley where there is an
in Silicon Valley where there is an
in Silicon Valley where there is an all-out effort by billionaires and
all-out effort by billionaires and
all-out effort by billionaires and brilliant scientists and medical
brilliant scientists and medical
brilliant scientists and medical technologists to not only dramatically
technologists to not only dramatically
technologists to not only dramatically increase our lifespans but but go even
increase our lifespans but but go even
increase our lifespans but but go even further and conquer mortality there was
further and conquer mortality there was
further and conquer mortality there was a cover of Forbes a couple months ago
a cover of Forbes a couple months ago
a cover of Forbes a couple months ago entitled how to cheat death and the
entitled how to cheat death and the
entitled how to cheat death and the efforts in the valley are not just about
efforts in the valley are not just about
efforts in the valley are not just about cheating death or about really finding
cheating death or about really finding
cheating death or about really finding the Fountain of Youth about staying
the Fountain of Youth about staying
the Fountain of Youth about staying younger longer cheating time every bit
younger longer cheating time every bit
younger longer cheating time every bit as much as death and I love that last
as much as death and I love that last
as much as death and I love that last month as I was thinking about this talk
month as I was thinking about this talk
month as I was thinking about this talk HBO’s Silicon Valley had an episode
HBO’s Silicon Valley had an episode
HBO’s Silicon Valley had an episode entitled blood boy didn’t anybody here
entitled blood boy didn’t anybody here
entitled blood boy didn’t anybody here see the blood boy episode in mid meeting
see the blood boy episode in mid meeting
see the blood boy episode in mid meeting Gavin Belson the disgraced co-founder of
Gavin Belson the disgraced co-founder of
Gavin Belson the disgraced co-founder of the fictional but not really that
the fictional but not really that
the fictional but not really that fictional hooli is interrupted mid
fictional hooli is interrupted mid
fictional hooli is interrupted mid meeting by Bryce his transfusion
meeting by Bryce his transfusion
meeting by Bryce his transfusion associate who wheels in these two
associate who wheels in these two
associate who wheels in these two connected thrown like chairs and the two
connected thrown like chairs and the two
connected thrown like chairs and the two of them sit down he’s described
of them sit down he’s described
of them sit down he’s described strapping blond guy as Gavin says he
strapping blond guy as Gavin says he
strapping blond guy as Gavin says he could have been a Nazi propaganda poster
could have been a Nazi propaganda poster
could have been a Nazi propaganda poster and it begins pumping his strapping
and it begins pumping his strapping
and it begins pumping his strapping youthful blood into the aging CEO and an
youthful blood into the aging CEO and an
youthful blood into the aging CEO and an effort to offset the ravages of of age
effort to offset the ravages of of age
effort to offset the ravages of of age so I’m gonna go back to that question
so I’m gonna go back to that question
so I’m gonna go back to that question what is it exactly that’s so great about
what is it exactly that’s so great about
what is it exactly that’s so great about living longer if you’ve got to get a
living longer if you’ve got to get a
living longer if you’ve got to get a transfusion associate but less
transfusion associate but less
transfusion associate but less facetiously how is it that we make the
facetiously how is it that we make the
facetiously how is it that we make the most of all this gift of longevity we’ve
most of all this gift of longevity we’ve
most of all this gift of longevity we’ve already received and it’s a question
already received and it’s a question
already received and it’s a question that I’ve been thinking about for three
that I’ve been thinking about for three
that I’ve been thinking about for three decades since I was in my own twenties
decades since I was in my own twenties
decades since I was in my own twenties and I never really actually set out to
and I never really actually set out to
and I never really actually set out to ask that question but I was really
ask that question but I was really
ask that question but I was really interested in a question that Amy just
interested in a question that Amy just
interested in a question that Amy just posed and it was about young people and
posed and it was about young people and
posed and it was about young people and what it took to help young people who
what it took to help young people who
what it took to help young people who were growing up in poverty succeed
were growing up in poverty succeed
were growing up in poverty succeed against the odds obviously that’s a
against the odds obviously that’s a
against the odds obviously that’s a complex issue that could be a TED talk
complex issue that could be a TED talk
complex issue that could be a TED talk in and of itself but one of the most
in and of itself but one of the most
in and of itself but one of the most striking realizations as I was doing
striking realizations as I was doing
striking realizations as I was doing that work is the importance of social
that work is the importance of social
that work is the importance of social connection really of love love matters
connection really of love love matters
connection really of love love matters most and love in the form of people who
most and love in the form of people who
most and love in the form of people who care for young people your
care for young people your
care for young people your bronfenbrenner who was a famous child
bronfenbrenner who was a famous child
bronfenbrenner who was a famous child development expert once one of the
development expert once one of the
development expert once one of the founders of the headstart program really
founders of the headstart program really
founders of the headstart program really captured I could give you boatloads of
captured I could give you boatloads of
captured I could give you boatloads of research he said what every kid needs is
research he said what every kid needs is
research he said what every kid needs is at least one adult who’s irrationally
at least one adult who’s irrationally
at least one adult who’s irrationally crazy about them and research on kids
crazy about them and research on kids
crazy about them and research on kids who were resilient who succeeded despite
who were resilient who succeeded despite
who were resilient who succeeded despite the odds shows that research on programs
the odds shows that research on programs
the odds shows that research on programs mentoring programs things like Big
mentoring programs things like Big
mentoring programs things like Big Brothers Big Sisters confirmed it but
Brothers Big Sisters confirmed it but
Brothers Big Sisters confirmed it but they also confirmed a less uplifting
they also confirmed a less uplifting
they also confirmed a less uplifting fact which is that there were vast
fact which is that there were vast
fact which is that there were vast waiting lists on those programs for
waiting lists on those programs for
waiting lists on those programs for people to care to love to connect and so
people to care to love to connect and so
people to care to love to connect and so a question emerged where are the human
a question emerged where are the human
a question emerged where are the human beings to do those things that only
beings to do those things that only
beings to do those things that only human beings can do and even then 30
human beings can do and even then 30
human beings can do and even then 30 years ago before there were salons on
years ago before there were salons on
years ago before there were salons on longevity you spend any length of time
longevity you spend any length of time
longevity you spend any length of time looking at the demographic changes
looking at the demographic changes
looking at the demographic changes underway and the conclusion was obvious
underway and the conclusion was obvious
underway and the conclusion was obvious it was in the older population which was
it was in the older population which was
it was in the older population which was our great repository not just of time
our great repository not just of time
our great repository not just of time but of numbers and just seemed to be the
but of numbers and just seemed to be the
but of numbers and just seemed to be the only increasing natural resource in the
only increasing natural resource in the
only increasing natural resource in the country in terms of human capital social
country in terms of human capital social
country in terms of human capital social capital what kids needed those things
capital what kids needed those things
capital what kids needed those things that only human beings could do in a
that only human beings could do in a
that only human beings could do in a whole set of spheres and so I got really
whole set of spheres and so I got really
whole set of spheres and so I got really intoxicated with this idea of bringing
intoxicated with this idea of bringing
intoxicated with this idea of bringing older people and younger people together
older people and younger people together
older people and younger people together for mutual benefit until somebody asked
for mutual benefit until somebody asked
for mutual benefit until somebody asked me the question does anybody actually
me the question does anybody actually
me the question does anybody actually doing it it sounds good so I went out on
doing it it sounds good so I went out on
doing it it sounds good so I went out on a journey around the country trying to
a journey around the country trying to
a journey around the country trying to find examples and I discovered a
find examples and I discovered a
find examples and I discovered a government program something called the
government program something called the
government program something called the Foster Grandparent program was created
Foster Grandparent program was created
Foster Grandparent program was created during the war on poverty at the same
during the war on poverty at the same
during the war on poverty at the same time as head start with the novel idea
time as head start with the novel idea
time as head start with the novel idea of connecting older people mostly older
of connecting older people mostly older
of connecting older people mostly older women who were low-income with kids in
women who were low-income with kids in
women who were low-income with kids in desperate need of support some in
desperate need of support some in
desperate need of support some in institution
institution
institution setting some in schools and I went
setting some in schools and I went
setting some in schools and I went around the country talking to foster
around the country talking to foster
around the country talking to foster grandparents and the culmination
grandparents and the culmination
grandparents and the culmination occurred on the Pediatrics Ward of Maine
occurred on the Pediatrics Ward of Maine
occurred on the Pediatrics Ward of Maine Medical Center Maine Medical Center
Medical Center Maine Medical Center
Medical Center Maine Medical Center finest Hospital in that state then as
finest Hospital in that state then as
finest Hospital in that state then as now and in the form of two little old
now and in the form of two little old
now and in the form of two little old ladies I say that with no derogatory
ladies I say that with no derogatory
ladies I say that with no derogatory intent
intent
intent Aggie Bennett was four foot 11 and
Aggie Bennett was four foot 11 and
Aggie Bennett was four foot 11 and Louise Casey four foot ten you couldn’t
Louise Casey four foot ten you couldn’t
Louise Casey four foot ten you couldn’t help but look down at them they were in
help but look down at them they were in
help but look down at them they were in their late 70s at the time and Aggie and
their late 70s at the time and Aggie and
their late 70s at the time and Aggie and Louise had failed retirement Aggie said
Louise had failed retirement Aggie said
Louise had failed retirement Aggie said she wanted to wear away not rust away so
she wanted to wear away not rust away so
she wanted to wear away not rust away so after her job in a as a waitress through
after her job in a as a waitress through
after her job in a as a waitress through her life and Louise worked in a sawmill
her life and Louise worked in a sawmill
her life and Louise worked in a sawmill they signed up for foster grandparents
they signed up for foster grandparents
they signed up for foster grandparents every day five days a week they trudged
every day five days a week they trudged
every day five days a week they trudged over to Maine Medical Center on
over to Maine Medical Center on
over to Maine Medical Center on brilliant sunny summer days in the dead
brilliant sunny summer days in the dead
brilliant sunny summer days in the dead of winter and they were having the time
of winter and they were having the time
of winter and they were having the time of their life when I met them there’s a
of their life when I met them there’s a
of their life when I met them there’s a wonderful line by the poet Marge Piercy
wonderful line by the poet Marge Piercy
wonderful line by the poet Marge Piercy the pitcher cries for water to carry and
the pitcher cries for water to carry and
the pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real and
a person for work that is real and
a person for work that is real and that’s what Aggie and Louise found there
that’s what Aggie and Louise found there
that’s what Aggie and Louise found there along with an enormous amount of fun I
along with an enormous amount of fun I
along with an enormous amount of fun I showed up one day and he was chasing
showed up one day and he was chasing
showed up one day and he was chasing kids around dressed as a tiger a 4 foot
kids around dressed as a tiger a 4 foot
kids around dressed as a tiger a 4 foot 11 tiger I think it was Halloween and
11 tiger I think it was Halloween and
11 tiger I think it was Halloween and she I remember asking about that she
she I remember asking about that she
she I remember asking about that she said it’s not a job it’s a joy and it
said it’s not a job it’s a joy and it
said it’s not a job it’s a joy and it was a joy but it was also work of just
was a joy but it was also work of just
was a joy but it was also work of just extraordinary importance because let me
extraordinary importance because let me
extraordinary importance because let me set the scene for you Maine Medical
set the scene for you Maine Medical
set the scene for you Maine Medical Center best hospitals a big state poor
Center best hospitals a big state poor
Center best hospitals a big state poor state yeah kids come in from hours away
state yeah kids come in from hours away
state yeah kids come in from hours away close to the Canadian border in some
close to the Canadian border in some
close to the Canadian border in some cases the sickest kids are staying there
cases the sickest kids are staying there
cases the sickest kids are staying there for an extended period and oftentimes
for an extended period and oftentimes
for an extended period and oftentimes their parents have got to leave because
their parents have got to leave because
their parents have got to leave because they work in a sawmill or as a waitress
they work in a sawmill or as a waitress
they work in a sawmill or as a waitress they’ve got four other kids and they
they’ve got four other kids and they
they’ve got four other kids and they just have to go back so imagine put
just have to go back so imagine put
just have to go back so imagine put yourself in their shoes these kids shoes
yourself in their shoes these kids shoes
yourself in their shoes these kids shoes you’re eight years old you’ve got cancer
you’re eight years old you’ve got cancer
you’re eight years old you’ve got cancer you’re five hours away from home in a
you’re five hours away from home in a
you’re five hours away from home in a strange setting maybe even in pain and
strange setting maybe even in pain and
strange setting maybe even in pain and you’re alone
you’re alone
you’re alone and that’s where Aggie and Louise came
and that’s where Aggie and Louise came
and that’s where Aggie and Louise came in they became family to these kids I’m
in they became family to these kids I’m
in they became family to these kids I’m tempted say surrogate family foster
tempted say surrogate family foster
tempted say surrogate family foster grandparents they were real family to
grandparents they were real family to
grandparents they were real family to these kids and you know Blake has a line
these kids and you know Blake has a line
these kids and you know Blake has a line William Blake joy and woe are woven fine
William Blake joy and woe are woven fine
William Blake joy and woe are woven fine and for all the joy on the Pediatrics
and for all the joy on the Pediatrics
and for all the joy on the Pediatrics Ward of Maine Medical Center there there
Ward of Maine Medical Center there there
Ward of Maine Medical Center there there was undeniable whoa and I remember one
was undeniable whoa and I remember one
was undeniable whoa and I remember one story that captured it more powerfully
story that captured it more powerfully
story that captured it more powerfully than anything and it all started out me
than anything and it all started out me
than anything and it all started out me asking Aggie and Louise did they ever
asking Aggie and Louise did they ever
asking Aggie and Louise did they ever think of quitting and they just kind of
think of quitting and they just kind of
think of quitting and they just kind of scoffed if they were the kind of people
scoffed if they were the kind of people
scoffed if they were the kind of people who would have spit on the ground that
who would have spit on the ground that
who would have spit on the ground that would have spit on the ground but then
would have spit on the ground but then
would have spit on the ground but then they got very serious and Aggie started
they got very serious and Aggie started
they got very serious and Aggie started talking and she told me about one
talking and she told me about one
talking and she told me about one experience that she had had and I was
experience that she had had and I was
experience that she had had and I was going to characterize it but I just
going to characterize it but I just
going to characterize it but I just decided to read her words because they
decided to read her words because they
decided to read her words because they deserve to be read she said I don’t
deserve to be read she said I don’t
deserve to be read she said I don’t think I’d been here a year when the head
think I’d been here a year when the head
think I’d been here a year when the head of the unit she asked me how strong a
of the unit she asked me how strong a
of the unit she asked me how strong a person are you
person are you
person are you I said well I’ve always prided myself
I said well I’ve always prided myself
I said well I’ve always prided myself that I was strong she says we got a baby
that I was strong she says we got a baby
that I was strong she says we got a baby that is dying and we promised that
that is dying and we promised that
that is dying and we promised that mother that her baby would not die in a
mother that her baby would not die in a
mother that her baby would not die in a crib do you think you could hold her
crib do you think you could hold her
crib do you think you could hold her well they put me in a room here
well they put me in a room here
well they put me in a room here they kept checking on me and that baby
they kept checking on me and that baby
they kept checking on me and that baby did not die and no crib that baby died
did not die and no crib that baby died
did not die and no crib that baby died in my arms and I was always so grateful
in my arms and I was always so grateful
in my arms and I was always so grateful for that I didn’t feel fear I just felt
for that I didn’t feel fear I just felt
for that I didn’t feel fear I just felt good and she turned to Louise and said
good and she turned to Louise and said
good and she turned to Louise and said you know how it is Louise when you sit
you know how it is Louise when you sit
you know how it is Louise when you sit with them and your heart’s aching but
with them and your heart’s aching but
with them and your heart’s aching but you don’t let them know it and so I went
you don’t let them know it and so I went
you don’t let them know it and so I went to Portland with a question where are
to Portland with a question where are
to Portland with a question where are the human beings to do those things that
the human beings to do those things that
the human beings to do those things that only human beings can do and I came away
only human beings can do and I came away
only human beings can do and I came away with no ambiguity about the answer to
with no ambiguity about the answer to
with no ambiguity about the answer to that question but I came away with
that question but I came away with
that question but I came away with another question
another question
another question which is why this isn’t this happening
which is why this isn’t this happening
which is why this isn’t this happening everywhere not just at every Pediatrics
everywhere not just at every Pediatrics
everywhere not just at every Pediatrics Ward in the country but in every
Ward in the country but in every
Ward in the country but in every neighborhood on every block in every
neighborhood on every block in every
neighborhood on every block in every school and I set out to try to figure
school and I set out to try to figure
school and I set out to try to figure out why and that to that answer is a
out why and that to that answer is a
out why and that to that answer is a whole talk in and of itself but I’ll
whole talk in and of itself but I’ll
whole talk in and of itself but I’ll just tell you quickly why it
just tell you quickly why it
just tell you quickly why it because we’ve put a halt to it we’ve
because we’ve put a halt to it we’ve
because we’ve put a halt to it we’ve made it impossible and it’s not a
made it impossible and it’s not a
made it impossible and it’s not a nefarious tale it’s a tale that started
nefarious tale it’s a tale that started
nefarious tale it’s a tale that started 50 years ago at a time when older people
50 years ago at a time when older people
50 years ago at a time when older people were pariahs in society Walter Reuther
were pariahs in society Walter Reuther
were pariahs in society Walter Reuther the great labor leader got up in front
the great labor leader got up in front
the great labor leader got up in front of the UAW convention in 1948 and
of the UAW convention in 1948 and
of the UAW convention in 1948 and described retirees as too old to work
described retirees as too old to work
described retirees as too old to work too young to die and it was also a time
too young to die and it was also a time
too young to die and it was also a time when the country was infatuated with the
when the country was infatuated with the
when the country was infatuated with the idea of teenagers and in the mid 1950s
idea of teenagers and in the mid 1950s
idea of teenagers and in the mid 1950s and a group of entrepreneurs foremost
and a group of entrepreneurs foremost
and a group of entrepreneurs foremost among them a guy named del Webb came up
among them a guy named del Webb came up
among them a guy named del Webb came up with this brilliant idea create a
with this brilliant idea create a
with this brilliant idea create a community apart from the rest of society
community apart from the rest of society
community apart from the rest of society where older people could pretend that
where older people could pretend that
where older people could pretend that they were younger people they could have
they were younger people they could have
they were younger people they could have a second child that he coined a phrase
a second child that he coined a phrase
a second child that he coined a phrase the golden years and built this
the golden years and built this
the golden years and built this community around the idea of graying as
community around the idea of graying as
community around the idea of graying as playing was called Sun City he had
playing was called Sun City he had
playing was called Sun City he had developed his skills building these
developed his skills building these
developed his skills building these communities building the
communities building the
communities building the japanese-american internment camps in
japanese-american internment camps in
japanese-american internment camps in California his response when questioned
California his response when questioned
California his response when questioned about that a jobs a job
about that a jobs a job
about that a jobs a job so this job was to create this false
so this job was to create this false
so this job was to create this false world in the middle of the desert turned
world in the middle of the desert turned
world in the middle of the desert turned the desert into a golf course and some
the desert into a golf course and some
the desert into a golf course and some an older people from around the country
an older people from around the country
an older people from around the country too fun and games in the first weekend
too fun and games in the first weekend
too fun and games in the first weekend they opened a hundred thousand people
they opened a hundred thousand people
they opened a hundred thousand people showed up there was a traffic jam for 12
showed up there was a traffic jam for 12
showed up there was a traffic jam for 12 miles leading into Sun City but there
miles leading into Sun City but there
miles leading into Sun City but there was a secret a bad and dirty secret that
was a secret a bad and dirty secret that
was a secret a bad and dirty secret that underlined at all the only way you could
underlined at all the only way you could
underlined at all the only way you could preserve the illusion was to keep
preserve the illusion was to keep
preserve the illusion was to keep children away if everyone was old
children away if everyone was old
children away if everyone was old nobody was old and to this day there’s
nobody was old and to this day there’s
nobody was old and to this day there’s 70,000 people living in Sun City there
70,000 people living in Sun City there
70,000 people living in Sun City there are aged police farting out the human
are aged police farting out the human
are aged police farting out the human contraband from from there and also
contraband from from there and also
contraband from from there and also known as kids and so you know we did we
known as kids and so you know we did we
known as kids and so you know we did we did that then but it’s not just these
did that then but it’s not just these
did that then but it’s not just these son cities of the world and leisure
son cities of the world and leisure
son cities of the world and leisure worlds where that’s happening I just
worlds where that’s happening I just
worlds where that’s happening I just spent the last few years with my father
spent the last few years with my father
spent the last few years with my father in a nursing home and Philadelphia fine
in a nursing home and Philadelphia fine
in a nursing home and Philadelphia fine place orderly
place orderly
place orderly clean it’s not so you’re actually there
clean it’s not so you’re actually there
clean it’s not so you’re actually there a little while where you realize there’s
a little while where you realize there’s
a little while where you realize there’s not an anybody under the age of seventy
not an anybody under the age of seventy
not an anybody under the age of seventy absent the staff we used to come with
absent the staff we used to come with
absent the staff we used to come with our three kids and it was almost like we
our three kids and it was almost like we
our three kids and it was almost like we dropped in from the planet Zenon you
dropped in from the planet Zenon you
dropped in from the planet Zenon you know people reaching out to touch these
know people reaching out to touch these
know people reaching out to touch these children and it was particularly cruel
children and it was particularly cruel
children and it was particularly cruel in his case because he was a gym teacher
in his case because he was a gym teacher
in his case because he was a gym teacher when he took early retirement he spent
when he took early retirement he spent
when he took early retirement he spent that running track meets for elementary
that running track meets for elementary
that running track meets for elementary school kids and so you know all these
school kids and so you know all these
school kids and so you know all these tales of transfusion associates and age
tales of transfusion associates and age
tales of transfusion associates and age police age apartheid I it seems like I’m
police age apartheid I it seems like I’m
police age apartheid I it seems like I’m heading towards a grim conclusion but
heading towards a grim conclusion but
heading towards a grim conclusion but actually I want to ask something else
actually I want to ask something else
actually I want to ask something else which is what if there was another way
which is what if there was another way
which is what if there was another way away infused with the spirit of Aggie
away infused with the spirit of Aggie
away infused with the spirit of Aggie and Louise and I’m so excited to report
and Louise and I’m so excited to report
and Louise and I’m so excited to report that there is another way if weary
that there is another way if weary
that there is another way if weary routed the river of life fifty years ago
routed the river of life fifty years ago
routed the river of life fifty years ago all over the country people are
all over the country people are
all over the country people are returning it to its natural course we’re
returning it to its natural course we’re
returning it to its natural course we’re seeing what might be characterized as a
seeing what might be characterized as a
seeing what might be characterized as a generativity revolution that idea of
generativity revolution that idea of
generativity revolution that idea of generativity came from psychologist Eric
generativity came from psychologist Eric
generativity came from psychologist Eric Erickson who said the hallmark of
Erickson who said the hallmark of
Erickson who said the hallmark of successful development in later life
successful development in later life
successful development in later life could be encapsulated in the phrase I am
could be encapsulated in the phrase I am
could be encapsulated in the phrase I am what survives of me taking what you’ve
what survives of me taking what you’ve
what survives of me taking what you’ve learned and passing it on to the next
learned and passing it on to the next
learned and passing it on to the next generation george valent from Harvard
generation george valent from Harvard
generation george valent from Harvard Medical School has shown in the most
Medical School has shown in the most
Medical School has shown in the most significant longitudinal study ever
significant longitudinal study ever
significant longitudinal study ever mounted that people in midlife and
mounted that people in midlife and
mounted that people in midlife and Beyond who do that are three times as
Beyond who do that are three times as
Beyond who do that are three times as likely to be happy as those who fail to
likely to be happy as those who fail to
likely to be happy as those who fail to and he says it’s not an accident it is
and he says it’s not an accident it is
and he says it’s not an accident it is deeply rooted in human nature biology
deeply rooted in human nature biology
deeply rooted in human nature biology flows downhill
flows downhill
flows downhill so if biology flows downhill why doesn’t
so if biology flows downhill why doesn’t
so if biology flows downhill why doesn’t Society flow downhill and in fact it’s
Society flow downhill and in fact it’s
Society flow downhill and in fact it’s starting to change we’re there all over
starting to change we’re there all over
starting to change we’re there all over the country innovators who are returning
the country innovators who are returning
the country innovators who are returning the river of life to its natural course
the river of life to its natural course
the river of life to its natural course there’s an intergenerational school in
there’s an intergenerational school in
there’s an intergenerational school in Cleveland I visited last year where
Cleveland I visited last year where
Cleveland I visited last year where older people are built deeply into the
older people are built deeply into the
older people are built deeply into the fabric it’s one of the highest
fabric it’s one of the highest
fabric it’s one of the highest performing charter schools in the state
performing charter schools in the state
performing charter schools in the state of Maine in Little Havana in Miami
of Maine in Little Havana in Miami
of Maine in Little Havana in Miami I’ve been to a Early Childhood Center
I’ve been to a Early Childhood Center
I’ve been to a Early Childhood Center where the same thing is happening I was
where the same thing is happening I was
where the same thing is happening I was just last week at
just last week at
just last week at the treehouse foundation in central
the treehouse foundation in central
the treehouse foundation in central Massachusetts which is a nun Sun City
Massachusetts which is a nun Sun City
Massachusetts which is a nun Sun City foster families living together
foster families living together
foster families living together supporting each other and supported by
supporting each other and supported by
supporting each other and supported by dozens of elders who live in subsidized
dozens of elders who live in subsidized
dozens of elders who live in subsidized housing among them it feels natural
housing among them it feels natural
housing among them it feels natural because it is and then after I saw them
because it is and then after I saw them
because it is and then after I saw them I headed back to Portland and I confess
I headed back to Portland and I confess
I headed back to Portland and I confess it part it was to get some of that
it part it was to get some of that
it part it was to get some of that inspiration that Aggie and Louise had
inspiration that Aggie and Louise had
inspiration that Aggie and Louise had provided me and when I was there I heard
provided me and when I was there I heard
provided me and when I was there I heard about Gorham House a nursing home 30
about Gorham House a nursing home 30
about Gorham House a nursing home 30 minutes outside of the city which is
minutes outside of the city which is
minutes outside of the city which is built around a preschool so I Drive out
built around a preschool so I Drive out
built around a preschool so I Drive out there you coming up the driveway and the
there you coming up the driveway and the
there you coming up the driveway and the first thing that hits you is this burst
first thing that hits you is this burst
first thing that hits you is this burst of color this playground then the sound
of color this playground then the sound
of color this playground then the sound of laughter children’s laughter and the
of laughter children’s laughter and the
of laughter children’s laughter and the sight of older people involved in
sight of older people involved in
sight of older people involved in everything that’s going on
everything that’s going on
everything that’s going on laughing themselves Gorham House says
laughing themselves Gorham House says
laughing themselves Gorham House says its competitive advantage it’s on its
its competitive advantage it’s on its
its competitive advantage it’s on its website is that they have an army of
website is that they have an army of
website is that they have an army of grandparents who are ready to be
grandparents who are ready to be
grandparents who are ready to be deployed and so I immediately of course
deployed and so I immediately of course
deployed and so I immediately of course wanted to take my father there but it
wanted to take my father there but it
wanted to take my father there but it was not to be he died on the eve of
was not to be he died on the eve of
was not to be he died on the eve of Father’s Day this past June last month
Father’s Day this past June last month
Father’s Day this past June last month and i briefed him still but I feel such
and i briefed him still but I feel such
and i briefed him still but I feel such a sense of liberation that he’s out of
a sense of liberation that he’s out of
a sense of liberation that he’s out of that place there’s solace corridors of
that place there’s solace corridors of
that place there’s solace corridors of age apartheid that constituted the
age apartheid that constituted the
age apartheid that constituted the nursing home where he was at I was so
nursing home where he was at I was so
nursing home where he was at I was so different from Gorham House but at his
different from Gorham House but at his
different from Gorham House but at his memorial service there was a passage
memorial service there was a passage
memorial service there was a passage that was read that captured everything
that was read that captured everything
that was read that captured everything that he was about and everything that
that he was about and everything that
that he was about and everything that I’m trying to talk about today it comes
I’m trying to talk about today it comes
I’m trying to talk about today it comes from the Talmud it’s called the Acorn
from the Talmud it’s called the Acorn
from the Talmud it’s called the Acorn and I’m not gonna give you the Talmudic
and I’m not gonna give you the Talmudic
and I’m not gonna give you the Talmudic reading of this story but basically this
reading of this story but basically this
reading of this story but basically this crusty rabbi comes upon an old guy who’s
crusty rabbi comes upon an old guy who’s
crusty rabbi comes upon an old guy who’s planting in a chord that says why are
planting in a chord that says why are
planting in a chord that says why are you wasting your time planning an acorn
you wasting your time planning an acorn
you wasting your time planning an acorn you’re never gonna see that tree come up
you’re never gonna see that tree come up
you’re never gonna see that tree come up and the old guy slowly turns and faces
and the old guy slowly turns and faces
and the old guy slowly turns and faces him and says I’m planting this seed
him and says I’m planting this seed
him and says I’m planting this seed because I’ve spent my whole life under
because I’ve spent my whole life under
because I’ve spent my whole life under trees that people before me planted and
trees that people before me planted and
trees that people before me planted and I’m planting this for those who follow
I’m planting this for those who follow
I’m planting this for those who follow so that’s my message to you today that’s
so that’s my message to you today that’s
so that’s my message to you today that’s my plea stop trying
my plea stop trying
my plea stop trying so hard to to be young but plant trees
so hard to to be young but plant trees
so hard to to be young but plant trees under whose shade we shall never sit
under whose shade we shall never sit
under whose shade we shall never sit don’t try to be young be there for those
don’t try to be young be there for those
don’t try to be young be there for those who actually are do it for our country
who actually are do it for our country
who actually are do it for our country we have more older people than younger
we have more older people than younger
we have more older people than younger people for the first time ever and
people for the first time ever and
people for the first time ever and that’s going to become even more
that’s going to become even more
that’s going to become even more pronounced the only way we’re gonna make
pronounced the only way we’re gonna make
pronounced the only way we’re gonna make it as a society but even more do it for
it as a society but even more do it for
it as a society but even more do it for yourself for your happiness
yourself for your happiness
yourself for your happiness because the real fountain of youth is
because the real fountain of youth is
because the real fountain of youth is the fountain with youth and the only way
the fountain with youth and the only way
the fountain with youth and the only way the true way to live forever is to live
the true way to live forever is to live
the true way to live forever is to live together across time across ages right
together across time across ages right
together across time across ages right now and for generations to come
now and for generations to come
now and for generations to come thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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