PERSPECTIVE
Never Too Old COVID sends 77-year-old back to school by FRANK TILLEY photography by JESSICA CRANDLEMIRE Like many of my friends in Southern Georgian Bay, the COVID-19 restrictions of summer 2020 were getting me down. Before the pandemic struck, I had started a new project aimed at active Baby Boomers in this area. It had slowed to a crawl as I was unable to recruit volunteers face to face. My wife and I were frustrated that our planned bicycle trip from Innsbruck, Austria to Verona, Italy had to be postponed. We had not been to the theatre, cinema or church since March. Most restaurants were closed. The house was closing in, I was drinking too much wine, my pants were getting too tight, and I was getting
used to sleeping in. Something had to be done. Pivoting is the new buzzword my children use. I had to find something new. But what? My last class in university was in 1966. I enjoyed the experience but had stayed away from academics with the exception of a year’s sabbatical in Geneva, Switzerland as an executive in residence at the local MBA school. I had always said I would pursue my interest in theology when I had some free time. It looked like it was now or never. How do you make a decision like this? First, I talked with people who know me. Of course, my wife/consultant/coach had to be
ON THE BAY
SUMMER 2021
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