I have obsessed over my 80th birthday coming this December 16th.
I’ve looked at the day with dread, wondering how I can reach it, yet wanting to celebrate it with the hope of sailing past it and moving into a state of happiness.
Frankly, I am baffled that I can still tie my shoes and pick out a tasty apple. I have chosen to continue to lead Graff-Pinkert thanks to the brilliant efforts of Noah and Rex who have decided to continue to work with me and challenge my ideas without mocking me.
Buying, selling, and brokering used machine tools and working as an intermediary for companies to change hands is quite a challenge in continually changing times.
Many of our sales are to foreign companies and individuals. They have chosen to trust us despite the fact that we have no credentials other than a clean history of honesty and an ability to listen intently to their needs.
As I inch to this birthday that I have always doubted I would reach, I attribute my lifespan to the love and continual kindness of my wife and children. I wonder every day why they somehow find me worthy of their attention. I try to give back to them in some ways, knowing that I always fall short.
Writing this blog has helped me survive by giving me an outlet for ideas. Writing has pricked up my intellect enough to hopefully make me interesting to talk to.
My son Noah is so much fun to work with. I know he is a much better and kinder son than I was to my dad. My daughter Sarah still listens to input before her High Holiday sermons, which sharpens my thoughts and makes me believe my ideas still have some merit. My son Ari continues to grow and adopt some of the ideas that intrigued me when I was his age. I love the way he is raising his son and teaching him the value of gratitude.
And Risa, my wife.
How I was guided to her among a thousand girls at a college dance I can only attribute to a signal from God and the short skirt that she was wearing on that brutally cold January night over 50 years ago.
Her kindness, companionship, and love, above anything else, has enabled me to live this long and enjoy a surprising amount of it.
If you have read this far, I thank you and wish you good health. I will continue to write as long as Noah bugs me. Hopefully it is still sometimes worth reading
Question: Do you celebrate or dread your birthday? Why?
10 Comments
Congratulations Lloyd on a reflection worthy of your life and love.
as a younger man, I was told by a salesman that I respected “Miles, It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”
As I continue to stack up the birthdays (and anniversaries) Not weakening has become my totem.
We have been blessed with work worth doing, Family and friends worth loving- and serving- and the best damn clients in the world. People that make things. people that harness energy, material, and provide their own ingenuity to make the parts that make our lives safer, healthier, and more comfortable. Congrats on # 80! And on a wonderful reflection earned.
Happy Birthday, Lloyd!
I am not a fan of birthdays myself. I always have terrible luck on them, and I don’t feel like I should celebrate the inevitable progression of time. Celebrating achievements and the good things in the everyday, that’s more my style.
Miles, thank you so much. You are the kind of person I admire greatly in this business. Good health to you. Lloyd
Happy Birthday, Lloyd!
What nice reflections on your journey to this point and gratitude for your loved ones!
Happy Birthday, Dad!
It’s a privilege working with you every day and getting to edit your blogs–and push you to make them better.
Today, however, no pushing was necessary. You hit it out of the park. Did you what you best. Stay true to yourself, and create something to make others think, entertain, and teach.
Your extremely lucky son.
Noah
Happy birthday Lloyd may you continue to be blessed with many more happy and healthy years! We wish you all the best, my friend
Thanks from your extremely lucky Dad
Dad, I enjoyed this blog. It’s interesting how I continually discover things as a middle aged adult that you were into when you were younger. From running a business to coaching and mens groups and creating content, you’ve been a trailblazer. Keep going dad!
Love,
Ari
Thanks so much, Ari
Congratulations Lloyd,
May you continue to enrich the lives of many as you have done mine.
Remember Moses only got into his stride once he turned 80.
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you His peace,
Peter