Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2021

Unique Arkansas

Arkansas Legacy

The Arkansas HVACR industry is graying and giving way to younger folks that want to try their hand at running a business. I sometimes fret over how will we replace the institutional knowledge that is retiring. Then I realize, young folks will build on the foundation and do even better. The following is a touching epitaph written by a man who captured the essence of aging with grace. Hope you enjoy it.

When I was a child, my parents taught me to respect older people. This I have done all of my life, but now I realize I am the elder. So now I respect the younger generation. I love my three daughters. I am very proud of the men that are their husbands. I love my grand and great grand children and the ones they have chosen as their mates. You can be sure from the above statements, I am proud of my family. I am now 91 years old (February 14, 1923) and I ’ m the person I have always wanted to be. I sometimes despair over my body. The wrinkles, baggy eyes, and a few extra pounds. Often I ’ m

taken back by the old person that lives in the mirror, but I don ’ t agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, or my loving family for dark hair. As I ’ ve aged, I ’ ve become more kind to myself and less critical. I ’ ve become my own friend.