robert

It’s Sunday and it’s 94°F (34°C). On our way back to Lovell Adam and I spot a man splitting fire wood in his yard. Robert is 84 years old and is 100% and 90% blind in his left and right eye respectively. “There’s but a small blurry window I can still see the world through.”

When Robert was 14 he started working in the lumber industry. He got involved in some real estate deals and lost everything. Then he moved to Brazil and got into the mining and jewelry making business and here too ended up losing everything. “Some people work hard and end up rich, other people work hard and don’t end up rich.” Eventually his mother started needing help to live. She paid for the immigration fees for his wife and child and with that Robert and his family moved in to the house he grew up in.

Robert imagined himself spending his retirement years travelling and kicking back. Though this hasn’t been possible he is content. The doctor says his cholesterol, sugars, heart, and lungs are great. Aside from his vision Robert is in excellent physical shape and keeps busy in hopes of living another ten years.

[45] June 27, 2021