This Older Gay Man’s Legacy of Giving
I hope to be remembered for what I was able to give to others!
If I was asked to look back at my 79 years of life, almost 80, and to tell you what was important to me, what I enjoy most, what I would like to be remembered for, I would tell you this:
I have been retired for over 30 years, since I was 50 years old and the State of Illinois offered an early retirement option. Since then, I have been more than active as an educator, speaker, lecturer, story teller, writer, poet, photographer, blogger, artist, jeweler, book binder, actor, opera supernumerary, museum curator, flea circus ringmaster, Dementia/ Alzheimer’s advocate, caregiver partner for my life partner Gregory Maire (RIP), and role model for the LGBTQIA+ Community.
These descriptors can be summarized into four main categories that talk to who I am: 1) a nurturer, 2) a collector, 3) a writer/poet, 4) and a philanthropist. Actually the last three end up being part of the first. I’ll explain.
