At 95, I don't fear dying. Let's keep the COVID-19 pandemic in perspective.
To say I’ve seen a lot in my 95 years is an understatement.
Those of us who are dang-near a century old have a few stories to tell. Just ask us. If you asked me a year ago if I’d seen it all, I would have said yes.
After all, I’ve lived through WWII, the Great Depression, Vietnam, 9/11 and multiple recessions. I’ve seen civil riots, natural disasters and decades of political discord. I watched Americans moon walk (including Michael Jackson) and the evolution of space-age computers. I dodged the Asian flu, swine flu, HIV and Ebola.
As a career educator and coach, I’ve built countless athletic programs, mentored and coached thousands, from college to Olympic-level. I’ve been married for a total of 60 years and outlived both wives. I’ve had my share of loves and losses, to include children.
Despite my challenges, I’m one of the more optimistic people you’ll meet. I “carpe diem” and encourage others to do the same.
I don't fear COVID. But I'll take the vaccine
I was the first paid activities director at Glencroft Senior Living (now Glencroft Center for Modern Aging) in Glendale, Arizona, where I still live today. For 10 years, it was my job to encourage residents to get out and live — not just wait for the inevitable. At Glencroft, we eat, pray, exercise, learn, create, laugh and cry together. The freedom to bond with our peers is something we took for granted, until now.
We understood it was necessary when Glencroft locked down. Heck, they did a lot to keep us safe. They delivered meals and activities, distributed masks and sanitizer. The staff often checked in on us. They broadcast workouts to our rooms so we could stay active.
Despite their efforts, I missed my old routine and my friends. Even the church was shut down, and I’m very much into my church program. Isolation made me struggle with negative thoughts for the first time in my life.
I didn’t expect that. At 95, there aren’t many “firsts” left.
I know many are afraid of COVID-19, as it hits our population harder than most. Many my age are afraid to die. But I don’t fear it.
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When I hear of others passing from COVID-19, I know that’s just the way of life at this end of it. I’m not hardened to it, I’m just ready for it. When the vaccine comes, I’ll take it like I take the flu shot and see what happens.
I’m cautious. I wash my hands and wear a mask. The possibility of getting sick is always there. You have to discipline yourself. It’s easy to become complacent.
What I'd say to younger generations
On a global scale, I’m disappointed by the lack of collaboration in 2020. My wish would be that the whole world would work together. But the way the politics are, there isn’t much hope for that. Political parties don’t want the other side to achieve anything.
As for the racial unrest we’ve seen this year, I don’t think there’s any comparison between now and the civil rights era. I found a recent map showing the rate of hate crimes across America. It looks like the U.S. has a bad case of measles.
My advice to the younger generation is you need to be involved and express yourself by voting. To attack the next guy if he disagrees with you isn’t going to get you far. You can’t just hammer a guy. There are a few things in life, even in religion, where extremes are too much.
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Attitude is a choice. I have a choice to be happy or sad, fearful or optimistic. To enjoy living or to sit around and wait to die. People ask me if there’s anything left on my bucket list. My bucket doesn’t have a bottom. I’ll never get it all done. In 2021, I’ll embrace whatever comes my way. I just hope I can still drive.
Wishing you all a healthy and happy New Year, from the not-so-Silent Generation.
Evan Oswald, 95, is a resident of Glendale-based Glencroft Center for Modern Aging. This column originally appeared in the Arizona Republic.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: At 95, I don't fear dying. Keep the COVID pandemic in perspective
