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TSCL Members Enthusiastically Contribute to Willard Scott’s New Book
“The Older the Fiddle” is a fun and uplifting book that includes reflections on life by people aged 65 and older. The book will be published May 2003 by Hyperion, and is priced at $22.95. It will be available at all major bookstores. Because of Willard’s short deadline, we were unable to publicize his request in the print version of “The Social Security & Medicare Advisor.” Online subscribers, however, were quickly notified and we were flooded with hundreds of submissions from those of you with access to the Internet. Although we do not know which submissions will be selected for the book, here’s an excerpt of one of our favorites from TSCL member Loretta Harris. “Pearl Harbor turned our world upside down. Adults stopped speaking when children entered the room, but I knew what they were talking about. My parents often discussed family members who were fighting. I thought they were afraid someone would be killed. I know I feared being killed, or that my parents might be. Ashamed of my lack of bravery, I kept fear to myself. I thought nobody knew. One weekend, my sister and I were home alone. After answering and ignoring my incessant questions concerning the whereabouts and expected return of our parents, she grabbed a blanket and some food and took me out to the yard. As we sat there drinking milk and eating graham crackers she told me about the universe. She pointed to the silvery glow of the Milky Way, adding ‘You know Sis, we are a part of that galaxy which is only one of many in the universe.’ I put my head in her lap and as she continued to talk I thought about the Milky Way. It was magnificent! I was part of it. Somehow the Germans and Japanese and the war seemed insignificant. My fear did not dissolve, but I had a tool, a way to cope. On clear nights I would look up, see the Milky Way and say, “Yep, I am part of that.” The war ended; over the years I matured. My life got busy; I forgot about the Milky Way. But with the destruction of the World Trade Center, the feeling that the world was not safe came back. Six decades later, I wanted to see the Milky Way again. I stepped outside and looked up, but no Milky Way. I couldn’t see it for all the urban lights and pollution. It took me almost a year, on a trip to Oregon’s high desert. There, late at night I looked up; I was able to see the Milky Way arching across heaven. Now once again I am filled with wonder at the miracle of our vast universe. Yep, I am part of that. ” December 2002 | ||||||||
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Willard Scott recently contacted us for help on his new book, “The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune: The Joys of Reaching a Certain Age.” “What would you say are some of the great things about getting older, and what wisdom do you have to pass on to younger generations?” he asks.