This probably seems like a funny question but each of these icons represents a different way of thinking. In this example, we’ll look at how Cupid, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus (and the people who think like them) might plan for their senior years. Take a moment and ask yourself which icon best applies to you.
[caption id="attachment_115" align="alignright" width="235" caption="Are you Cupid?"]
[/caption]Cupid
It doesn’t seem like Cupid has a concrete plan of action. He’s got his special bow and arrow and just stays ready to fire at the appropriate people as the need (desire?) arises. After that, it’s up to the love-struck pair to consider any details and try to make things work.
Applying this logic to planning for senior years, Cupid is a person who believes in the special bow and arrow. If Cupid suffers illness or injury, or is unable to take care of him (or her) self, the bow will fire of its own accord. The magic arrow will unerringly find the one who loves Cupid the most – or the one who would most love to take care of Cupid. Once the arrow does its work, the caregiver would then need to take care of the particulars.
With bow and arrow at the ready, Cupid trusts that once the arrow is fired the hard part is over. Cupid’s work is done and the happy ending is imminent. While that’s not a concrete plan, it’s more of a plan than the Easter Bunny seems to have.
Easter Bunny
Most of us have heard the song. The bunny’s just hopping along the trail “hippety-hoppity”, without a care in the world except the knowledge that Easter is “on its way”. Conventional wisdom says that when planning we shouldn’t put all of our eggs in one basket. Well, the Easter Bunny must have really taken that wisdom to heart! Not only does the Easter Bunny spread the eggs across multiple baskets, he puts them behind bushes, in tall grass, and sometimes in places people would never think to look.
In planning terms, we all know that barring unforeseen incident or circumstance, old age is coming. The Easter Bunny just cruises along in business as usual mode, recognizing that the senior years are always “on the way”, but not seeing that destination get closer. While the Easter Bunny may have placed a few eggs in safekeeping (and possibly a few in dye), there’s no real strategy or planning involved.
Events may occur in life that send the Easter Bunny’s friends and family scurrying to provide care or make decisions but as with Cupid’s “plan” the Easter Bunny ultimately relies on somebody, somewhere to deal with the aftermath. Neither Cupid nor the Easter Bunny can hold a candle to Santa Claus for planning.
Santa Claus
All the stories and most of the songs peg Santa Claus as the ultimate planner. He monitors trends, behaviors, and inventories all during the year; makes a written plan (in list form); and checks his planning to make sure all systems are in place. He even tells people what his plan is so everyone is on the same page. When Santa Claus is ready to act, he acts. Because Santa Claus has a plan, he knows that every contingency has been prepared for, that everyone knows what is expected of them, and that everything he wants taken care of will be done (in short order, too).
As a person planning for senior years, Santa Claus is ready for anything. He knows that he will get older. He knows that things will not take care of themselves. He even knows that he won’t get what he wants unless he writes a letter (a legal one, not just a letter to himself). Santa Claus checks his supplies and inventories (possessions, friends, family, etc.) and makes a written plan detailing who gets what (yes, Santa Claus has a will), but more importantly what needs to be done, and who needs to do it.
If Santa Claus so much as slips on the ice, the elves know how to carry on just as he would want them to – his plan describes every detail and leaves nothing to question. Santa Claus, the senior, would have no doubts or worries about care. He has a plan.
So, who are you most like – Cupid, the Easter Bunny, or Santa Claus? Do you (or your loved ones) have a list (a plan)? Have you checked it twice?
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Thanks for this helpful reminder that even in the spring it’s never to early to prepare for Christmas. After watching my 63 year old mom take care of her 90+ year old mother, even in my early 30′s, it’s actually a good time to sit down with my parents and sisters to discuss their elder care plans – oh and what we’re doing for Christmas this year!
Great idea, Rob! You’ll be doing a real service to your parents and sisters. I wish more families worked on advance planning like that.
- Tim
Valentine’s Day
http://www.valentinesdaymovie.com
The official site for ‘VALENTINE’S DAY’ only in theaters! An all-star ensemble cast comes together in “Valentine’s Day,” following the intertwining storylines of a group of Los Angelinos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine’s Day.
Cupid and his bow and arrow are the most famous symbol of love on Valentine’s Day. His image has been depicted as an angelic (although a bit mischievous) boy with wings who flies around shooting innocent mortals with arrows that will make them fall hopelessly in love. Some myths accuse Cupid of playing with people’s hearts and making odd, incompatible couples out of spite. Other myths think Cupid was sent by the Gods to form happy unions. But did you know that young Cupid has quite the romantic love story of his own?
Cupid, a God, fell in love with Psyche, a human. It was an ill-fated match from the start so to keep his identity a secret, Cupid never let Psyche see him. Instead, he would visit her late at night and whisper sweet nothings to her. Sooner than later, Pysche fell madly in love with Cupid without ever actually seeing him.
Psyche’s sisters, jealous of her breathtaking beauty and ability to find true love, convince her to sneak up on Cupid one evening. Naïve and curious to see what her one true love looked like, Psyche watched Cupid sleep. When he awoke and saw her at his bedside, realizing she had finally learned that he was a God, he said, “I must leave you forever. Love cannot live without suspicion.”
Pysche, realizing what a fool she had been, went to Cupid’s mother, Venus, for advice. Venus, also jealous of Pysche’s beauty, sent her on impossible task after impossible task. Psyche sought the help of the other gods to accomplish each obstacle Venus set out for her. She surprised even herself.
Finally, Venus gave Pysche her blessing and she was reunited with Cupid. The two young lovers married and had a child, Pleasure. No wonder it feels so darn good to fall in love!
i’m cupid
Hello Baby Boomers I think this is a perfect song for our Valentines Day . It was my 70th birthday and I decided to record this song entitled Old Dogs and share this with friends . So far the response is to cool . it’s scheduled for PBS /TV /Radio
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8inY6flQFaE&feature=youtube_gdata
All the best with your creative adventures in life
Mickey
Mickey Carroll
Grammy Nominee
Gold Record Recipient