Interview with James Miller

Interview with James Miller
Question: Please provide me with a brief overview of your life (i.e. birthplace, schooling, work career, family makeup, etc.).
Response: I am what you could call a local boy. (Laughs heartedly) I was born here back in 1941.By then it was much different. There were not so many people and not so many houses. I went to the local public school. Then I went college to do meteorology and simple geological studies. I got a job in the city councils weather department where I worked all my life.
Question: Would you please describe your definition of aging, as it relates to you and your life?
Response: Since I have always been athletic, I am probably aging well. I have not had any significant health challenges apart from the obvious reduction in stamina. I am still able to do most of the personal stuff such as make simple meals, clean up myself and my house, go to the groceries and visit a few friends. This is not to say that I love getting older if there I would remain young. I still have so many things I want to do but can’t do since am old now.
Question: What are some of these things?
Response: I wanted to travel a lot when I was younger, but my work did not enable me too. By the time I retired, my energy did not allow me to visits half the places I wanted to go. I also always wanted to join a cooking class but never got around to doing it until now there is no time. I still want to read very many books. Look, I made myself a book rest so I don’t have to hold the book up when reading which can be tiring.

This way I can continue reading for a long time.
Question: What aspects of aging do you find most interesting and enjoyable/rewarding?
Response: As you age, you develop a certain view on reality that is very rewarding. One can fully accept who they are and this allows them to love effortlessly all those around him. It is as if you suddenly discover that life is a gift and everything in it the icing on top. I think that is why most old people sometimes have more desire for life than younger people
Question: What aspects of aging to you find most challenging and would change if you could?
Response: Strength. I cannot run anymore. I have always been a runner and now. Have to hold my rail when going up the stairs. It is not attractive. It also prevents me from playing football for long with my grandchildren. My memory is also not a sharp as it was at one point. Sometimes I forget my grandchildren names or mix them up
Question: Do you have an “end of life plan” for yourself? Describe the items or details included in your plan (i.e. disposition of your body/remains, life support directive, estate planning, executor to will/estate, etc.)
Response: I would like to be admitted into hospice when I am terminally ill or near death. If I do not reach this point, then I hope to die fast and quietly in my sleep. The family can decide the plans after that, but I would like to be hurried just here in my town. My lawyer already has my will and will take care of the estate once I am gone.
Question: When did you have your first conversation with loved ones regarding your EOL plan, who did you have the conversation with, and how was it received and was it helpful?
Response: My first end of life conversation was with my family about end of life wasn3 year ago on my 73rd birthday. Probably due to the jovial nature of the moment, the topic was taken literary well and almost as a joke. Then I narrated the story of my life and laid bare all my desires for end of life care. Since them, each of my three children has visited me independently to speak about these things. The last meetings are more serene but everyone has been somber, and I could say this has brought us closer.
Question: How many of your immediate family have an “end of life plan” and who created theirs first?
Response: I do not know anyone else with an end of plan life. Nobody wants to feel like they are dying tomorrow and thus people do not like making such plans.
Question: What are you most proud of in your life?
Response: My family. My three kids turned out well. My wife died 17years ago. I have always had the most beautiful family. Even now, everyone loves each other so much.
Question: Are there any regrets that you have about your life?
Response: No. Apart from the fact that I didn’t travel as much as I should have, there is nothing else to regret. Life has been great to me.
Question: What is the best advice you can give to someone like me?
Response: Live life! Do not be so narrow and distracted that you miss out on everything good. Life is beautiful, but most people live about oblivious of the beauty. Cultivate the habit of taking some time to quietly look at what is around you and appreciating this it is a gift