Who You Calling Old?
Madeline King Porter’s Viewpoint (Oct. 27) is an offense to anyone who is older and still cannot only cut the lumber but carry
it.
Elderly people can still make a contribution later in life. Continuing progress is being made in fighting cancer, heart disease, stroke and other killers. A person watching his or her diet and exercise may live to the biological limit of 120 years.
Here is proof that life begins,or at least continues,after 70:
– Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967): 73 when he became the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Resigned 14 years later.
– Pope John XXIII (1881-1963): chosen pope at 77, brought the Catholic Church into the 20th century.
– Jomo Kenyatta (1894-1978): elected Kenya’s first president at age 77. Led the country for 14 years.
– Henri Matisse (1869-1954): in his 70s did a series of paper cutouts that are exhibited at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
– Golda Meir (1898-1978): named prime minister of Israel at 71; held the job for five years.
– Pablo Picasso (1881-1973): completed his portraits of “Sylvette” at 73, married for the second time at 77, then executed three series of drawings between 85 and 90.
– Anna Mary Robertson Moses (1860-1961): 76 when she took up painting as a hobby; as Grandma Moses she won international fame and staged 15 one-woman shows throughout Europe.
– Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982): At 81 gave one of his greatest performances at Carnegie Hall.
– Sophocles (496-406 B.C.): after the age of 70 wrote “Electra” and “Oedipus at Colonus”; held office in Athens at age 83.
– Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): at 74 wrote “Othello” and at age 78 wrote “Falstaff.”
– Frank Lloyd Wright, (1869-1959): completed the Guggenheim Museum at age 89; continued teaching until his death.
Not to mention the contributions made by the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Colonel Sanders and myself. That’s right! I count myself. I’m not ready to check out. I have grandchildren older than my youngest son. I’m voting for John McCain.
Barry M. Gold
Irvine
