Excerpt from Daily Cures, Wisdom for Healthy Aging by Connie Michaelis
Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), better known by his stage name Tony Bennett, is a super-talented American singer with multiple gold records,18 Grammys, and two Emmys. He is also a painter, with works on permanent public display in several institutions, and now in his elder years a professor. The title of professor has been awarded by me! I recently read this quote attributed to him, “Life teaches you how to live if you live long enough.” At 90-years-old this year, he might be in the most productive and inspirational period of his life. As a child of the Depression and a survivor of military service in WWII, Tony, like so many dynamic Elders of today, has much wisdom to share. Life is the teacher, and it takes a lot of experience to be a tenured life professor. No freshmen can speak with such authority.
Bennett has a significant stage from which to speak to the world. When he pairs up with Lady Gaga for TV ads and albums, it is Tony that is getting my attention! Don’t you love it when seniors set the gold standard? The media does seem to pay attention to the Tony Bennetts and the Betty Whites of the world, but you might say at 80 or 90 not many people have a platform from which to speak. I believe that is our society’s loss. We give such honor and applause to the rich and famous elders, but what about your grandmother or grandfather? Are you capturing the wisdom of the Elders in your life? Life is a teacher if you live long enough. I think it makes sense that those that have lived the longest should have the greatest influence!
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