Page 5 - Boca ViewPointe - April '25

April 2025 Viewpointe, Page 5
It Takes Courage To Grow Old

By Robert W. Goldfarb This verdict wasn’t sent from a mailing list, but told memory. Just getting out of a chair asks as much of my
me by physicians who knew I had just run five three- legs as marathons once did. But, my emotions, my belief
The deeper I advance into my nineties, the more certain mile races. Neither was talking to the active man sitting in myself, flood me with strength in both my body and
I am it takes courage to grow old. Courage that stilled across from them. They were reporting facts to a man who mind.
my fears as a boy on dangerous streets and as a young wanted to heal, not hear that his age was more important I didn’t expect to find excitement in becoming one of
soldier on distant fields, stood me tall during my climb than he was. the oldest-old. But, I reached deep within myself and find
through a workplace that sometimes felt like war. Does I would spend my life wondering what was going to the flame of my courage still blazes. It lights this path
that courage still pulse in a someone less than five years stream from me, blood or urine. Fortunately, a cardiologist I’m walking into an arena where old-age is greeted with
from a century old? came unexpectedly to see me at the hospital. My chart roars of approval.
My courage, or its aged version, was tested recently told him how old I was, but questions he asked as we
by two events that are beginning to define old age for me. sat quietly, told him how I reached that age. He said, Bob’s articles have appeared in The New York Times,
Both – one a casual insult, the other a potential catastrophe “You’ve passed my eye test and I find you fit enough for The San Francisco Chronicle and in Next Avenue, the
– seem to find pleasure in tormenting the oldest-old. the Watchman.” He scheduled me for the procedure. publication of the Public Broadcasting Service. His
I felt the insult’s sting days after my granddaughter If I were to carve out a place to live between minor book, “What’s Stopping Me From Getting Ahead?” was
hugged me as I diapered her son, my six-month-old insults and potential catastrophe, I would have to published by McGraw Hill and is in five languages. 
great-grandchild. The warmth of her admiration faded reawaken courage I hope has not diminished with age.
as I read a mailing offering a discount on men’s diapers. It’s not only that I am older; it’s that everything about
I might have retained the dexterity to diaper a baby, but suddenly and unexpectedly. Courage I brought to our Lease Renewals
me changed when my wife of nearly seventy years died
more important was that I was now on a list of men old
enough to be incontinent. marriage blazed brighter under the heat of her love.
The discounted diapers would have me or someone else Could courage survive in air made thin by her loss? Renters- If you plan to renew your lease
doing for me what I had just done for my great-grandson. I would have to reach deep within to learn if any spark at Boca Pointe, please provide the BPCA
Easy enough to say, “Don’t take it personally; it’s just a remained in its ashes. Muriel admired my courage and Management office a copy of your renewal
list.” But, it felt personal, and stung. would want it to flame again. I would make within myself
More painful than a sting was being told I was too changes that would give me the physical and emotional lease and vehicle registration prior to your lease
old to undergo a procedure that could save my life. I was courage to go even deeper into my nineties. expiration date. Both items are needed to ensure
recently diagnosed with arrythmia, an irregular heart I began to sit quietly and reflect on the man I would that your transponder does not get deactivated
rhythm, and quickly prescribed a blood thinner that would have to become to find meaning, even happiness, in the when the lease ends. Please email to admin@
minimize chances of a stroke. time remaining. I didn’t want age to take me where it bocapointe.com.
The medication, however, immediately caused me to chose; I wanted to determine my own course. Disabilities Thank you! 
bleed, sending me to a hospital emergency room. There is driven driven by age would shout louder than my voice,
an alternative to blood thinner, the Watchman, an implant but I would continue to say “I’ll stumble, but will not
in the heart that stops stroke-potent blood clots from leave the path I’ve chosen!”
entering the bloodstream. The road I’m on winds through fields glowing with
Two doctors – both of whom have known me for flowers I’ve recently begun to plant, gratitude, kindness, Golf Carts
years – told me I was too old to undergo the Watchman love and happiness. I know I have a choice in the way I
procedure. I would have to endure living between what walk this path and I choose to stride more gently, more
they called “a rock and a hard place.” Not taking the patiently. I’ve learned to love the stillness I feel when I
blood thinner could cause a stroke. Taking it would have sit quietly and listen to the voice deep within. I trust that Please Drive
blood streaming from me instead of urine. One or the voice and am confident it will guide me. Carefully!
other could kill me. Yes, the Watchman would pull me I cherish the courage that took me this far and have
from between a rock and a hard place, but 95-year-olds come to feel it is even more potent now than it was when
don’t get pulled out. I was younger. Physical strength I had then is now a

ª

Two Boca Raton Offices: 151 N. Ocean Blvd. • 21073 Powerline Rd. #63
T wo Boca Raton Offices: 151 N. Ocean Blvd. • 21073 Powerline Rd. #63
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Two Boca Raton Offices: 151 N. Ocean Blvd. • 21073 Powerline Rd. #63 TS”
“DEDICATED TO RESULTS”
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“DEDICA
RESUL
“DEDICATED TO RESULTS” & CL UB MEMBER JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
POINTE RESIDENT
BOCA POINTE RESIDENT & CLUB MEMBER
BOCA
ORA
FL
VILLA FLORA

VILLA
SOLD
t
ed Single S
v
eno
t
ory
3/3/2 R
a
SOLD
SOLD
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
BOCA POINTE RESIDENT & CLUB MEMBER FOR 28 GREAT YEARS!! SOLD 3/3/2 Renovated Single Story
SOLD
SOLD
JUST LISTED SOLD SOLD
JUST LISTED
SOLD $855,000
VILLA FLORA
SOLD $855,000
3/3/2 Renovated Single Story
VILLA FLORA
THE PALMS BOCA POINTE VILLA DEL SOL 3/3/2 Renovated Single Story
SOLD $485,000
Fully renovated 4bdrm + office + 2car Single Story • 3/2/2 Car Garage BOCA POINTE - EL VIENTO
Primary Bdrm & Office on the main floor VILLA DEL SOL SOLD $485,000
THE PALMS BOCA POINTE
2/2 + Den
ISLES OF BOCA ... right across from Boca
Fully renovated 4bdrm + office + 2car PALOMAR VILLA DEL SOL
BOCA POINTE - EL VIENTO
JUST LISTED
SOLD $640,000
Spectacular golf views!
JUST LISTED
Primary Bdrm & Office on the main floor Single Story • 3/2/2 Car Garage 2/2 + Den
Point! Townhouse, 3-2.5 1,625 sf • Primary
2 Story
Single Story • 3/2/2 Car
BOCA POINTE - LA MIRADA
bdrm down-2 car garage, w lake view! 4bdrm 2.5 baths 2 car garage Garage SOLD $750,000
Spectacular golf views!
SOLD $839,000
SOLD $640,000
STUNNING GOLF VIEWS!
$475,000
BOCA POINTE CARAVELLE BOCA POINTE - LA MIRADA DEER CREEK GOLF ESTATES
Remodeled 3/2.5 2 car garage
Updated 3/2 pool home
ANNUAL RENTAL
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
3/3 2 car garage STUNNING GOLF VIEWS! ANNU AL RENT AL
SOLD 23291 FeatherPalm Ct.
on golf course
SOLD $750,000
SOLD 22652 Esplanada Circle W.
THE PALMS
FULL SERVICE AGENT Beautifully updated Remodeled 3/2.5 2 car garage 3/2-2 car garage • 2,050 sq ft
FULL SERVICE AGENT
DEER CREEK GOLF ESTATES
SOLD 7675 Via Grande
SOLD 7880 Travelers Tree Dr
Single story• Community pool
Updated 3/2 pool home

Ilene Polito
Ilene Polito SOLD 7917 Travelers Tree Dr. SOLD 23291 FeatherPalm Ct. 24/7 gated $4000 Available April
SOLD 7880 Travelers Tree Dr.
SOLD 22652 Esplanada Circle W.
SOLD 6670 Villa Sonrisa
SOLD 4776 Sierra Lane
THE PALMS
on golf course
SOLD 6670 Villa Sonrisa
(561) 302-6669
(561) 302-6669 SOLD 22991 Clear Echo Dr, #86 SOLD 7675 Via Grande Call Eileen Fleming for showings
Single Story • 2 Car Garage
(561) 414-4018
BocaRatonRealEstate.com
ILENE@BOCAHOME.COM
ILENE@BOCAHOME.COM BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEW! Great location BocaRatonRealEstate.com
2/2 + Convertible Den
THE PALMS THE PALMS BOCA POINTE SOLD 23291 FeatherPalm Ct.
FULL SERVICE AGENT Single Story • 2 Car Garage Fully renovated SOLD 22652 Esplanada Circle W.
BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEW! 4bdrm + office + 2car SOLD 7675 Via Grande
Great location
Ilene Polito 2/2 + Convertible Den Primary Bdrm & Office on the SOLD 7880 Travelers Tree Dr.
main floor
SOLD 6670 Villa Sonrisa
(561) 302-6669 C all me f or all y our
Call me for all your
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