After 70: Travel, Wellness, Legacy, and the Road Ahead

Thoughts

1 Jan - 31 May 2026

The year 2026 has already become one of the most meaningful, emotional, reflective, and transformative periods of my life. As I continue moving through my seventieth year, I find myself thinking more deeply about health, family, friendship, resilience, gratitude, and the importance of living fully while time still allows it. This year has been filled with major travel experiences, personal milestones, health challenges, caregiving responsibilities, reunions with family and friends, and moments of quiet reflection that reminded me what truly matters most in life.

The year began with a renewed focus on discipline, wellness, and purpose. Turning seventy years old changed the way I looked at time. I became much more aware that every trip, every conversation, every friendship, and every family gathering carries greater meaning now. I have tried to approach life with a stronger appreciation for experiences, relationships, and the memories still waiting to be created.

One of the major themes of this year has been caregiving and family responsibility. A large part of my time and emotional energy was devoted to helping Roseann recover from her right hip operation. Her recovery became the center of our daily rhythm for weeks. I watched her face pain, discomfort, and physical limitations with courage, patience, and determination. I did everything I could to support her healing process—helping with medications, preparing meals, assisting her around the house, taking her to appointments, and simply being present during difficult moments when recovery felt exhausting or discouraging.

I learned again that recovery is never just physical. It is emotional and mental as well. Through it all, Roseann showed incredible strength and perseverance. Caring for her reminded me that love often reveals itself in quiet moments—the early mornings, the late nights, the patience, the encouragement, and the willingness to stand beside someone when they need you the most. In many ways, this experience strengthened our bond even further.

At the same time, I found myself surrounded by many close friends and family members dealing with major health challenges of their own. My friends Bill, Rosemary, and Judy, along with my stepsister Ellie, all faced serious medical recoveries and difficult periods in their lives. Watching people you care deeply about fight through surgeries, rehabilitation, pain, uncertainty, and recovery changes your perspective. It reminds you how fragile life truly is—but also how resilient human beings can become when faced with adversity. Their determination, courage, and refusal to give up inspired me greatly. I kept all of them constantly in my thoughts and prayers and became even more appreciative of health, friendship, and the importance of supporting one another during difficult times.

Travel continued to play a major role in my life during 2026 and became one of the greatest sources of reflection, inspiration, and renewal. In April, I embarked on a remarkable transatlantic journey aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation, sailing from Tampa, Florida toward Rome and Civitavecchia, Italy. That voyage became far more than just another cruise. It became a period of personal reflection and rediscovery.

The long sea days gave me time to think deeply about life, aging, friendships, family, and the future. I spent mornings enjoying quiet breakfasts overlooking the ocean, attended historical lectures, wine tastings, and cultural presentations, and continued many of my wellness routines, including acupuncture and spa treatments focused on maintaining my back, mobility, and overall health. There was something calming and almost therapeutic about watching the endless Atlantic Ocean pass by while reflecting on the path my life has taken over the past seventy years.

The ports along the journey created lasting memories as well. Bermuda provided a relaxing cultural experience filled with local history and island hospitality. Malaga, Spain offered beautiful architecture, historic cathedrals, and slippery cobblestone streets under light rain as we carefully explored the Alcazaba fortress and city center. Cartagena included wonderful food and wine experiences that blended culture, history, and friendship into unforgettable moments.

Arriving in Civitavecchia and later spending extended time in Rome became one of the highlights of the year. I enjoyed exploring local neighborhoods, markets, restaurants, historical sites, and the slower rhythm of Italian life. I stayed at the San Giorgio Hotel in Civitavecchia and appreciated the personalized service, warm hospitality, and excellent concierge support that made the experience feel welcoming and memorable. Walking through old streets, sitting in cafés, exploring Tarquinia’s Etruscan history, and simply observing daily life in Italy gave me time to appreciate the beauty of slowing down and living in the moment.

In May, I continued my Mediterranean journey aboard Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas through the Greek Isles. Visiting places like Santorini, Mykonos, Naples, and Ephesus allowed me to combine my love of history, culture, food, photography, and storytelling. Standing on ancient ground in Greece and Turkey gave me a powerful sense of connection to the past and reminded me how small we truly are compared to the long arc of history.

One of the brighter personal moments this year was reconnecting with old friends Chris and Brenda. Spending time with them felt comfortable, easy, and familiar—as though no time had passed at all. We shared meals, stories, laughter, and many conversations about family, travel, and the future.

Together we began planning another exciting Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas cruise through the Greek Islands. Having future adventures to look forward to with good friends brought genuine joy and optimism into all of our lives.

Family remained another central theme throughout 2026. I traveled back to Detroit to celebrate my brother Vincent’s 64th birthday. Returning to Detroit always reconnects me to my roots, my childhood memories, and the people who shaped who I became. Spending time with Vincent reminded me how important siblings and family history truly are. We laughed, reflected on the past, talked about our lives, and appreciated how far we had all come through the years.

I also enjoyed a wonderful visit with my sister Michelle and her boyfriend Randy. We shared an incredible dinner together with Michelle’s daughter Shelly and her son Robert. The evening was filled with warmth, laughter, family stories, and the kind of relaxed conversation that makes you realize how important these simple moments really are. Nobody wanted to rush away from the table because everyone was simply enjoying being together.

Financially, 2026 also became a year of major planning and stewardship. I continued working carefully on retirement strategies, Roth conversions, estate planning, long-term financial security, and preserving wealth not only for comfort and travel, but also for family legacy and future generations. After decades of military service, government work, discipline, saving, and planning, I have become increasingly aware that financial independence is not simply about money—it is about freedom, peace of mind, flexibility, and the ability to live life on your own terms,

Looking back on 2026 so far, I see a year defined by resilience, caregiving, healing, travel, friendship, reflection, family, and gratitude. There have certainly been moments of worry, stress, exhaustion, and uncertainty. But there has also been an abundance of love, support, human connection, and personal growth.

At seventy years old, I understand more clearly than ever that life is not measured only by accomplishments, titles, wealth, or destinations. It is measured by the people we care for, the friendships we maintain, the family we hold close, the journeys we share, and the memories we create along the way. This year has reminded me to slow down when necessary, appreciate every good day, continue exploring the world while I still can, and never take relationships or health for granted.

2026 has not always been easy—but it has been deeply meaningful, unforgettable, and profoundly human. And in many ways, I believe it has made me even more grateful for the life I have been fortunate enough to live.