Feeling a bit under the weather the other day, I made an appointment to see a nurse practitioner at my health plan.  He found nothing to be concerned about.  My self-diagnosis was that I didn’t pay attention to the advice that older people should limit exercise when the heat and humidity are high, especially between the hours of 10:00 and 4:00. The day before I had walked four miles at the wrong time of day. My body told me that I shouldn’t try that again.  (Yes, I was drinking water!)

While awaiting the results of a test he ordered for me, we got to talking. I mentioned that I had lost my husband after 56 years of being together.  He raised his left hand to show me his wedding band, still shiny after two years of marriage.  Probably inappropriately, I asked if he and his wife are hoping to have a family.  He told me that they are unsure because they are concerned about bringing children into a world fraught with problems. 

My unsolicited advice was to not miss the joys (and challenges) of parenthood. 

Instead, change the world.

P.S.  For those who want to know more about pencil sharpeners, a 80-something reader referred me to:

Stop by the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center and visit one of the more unique museums you will see, the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum. Reverend Paul Johnson began his collection more than 20 years ago. This amazing collection of more than 3,400 pencil sharpeners has been featured in national magazines and is reputed to be the largest collection in America.