The Privilege of Knowing Nate

Last weekend I spent a couple of days with our friend Nate. He and his family go way back with Susy to her teen years in Malibu.
       Nate has Alzheimer's, for about 5 or more years now. Susy helps care for him a couple of days per week, but last week she was at a training seminar while Shirley (Nate's wife) was away. So Nate and I hung out together for Friday and Saturday.

Circa 1994 - Nate and Shirley
with Steven at their house
in New Jersey

       It's difficult for me to capture the stature of Nate as a man. He has been married for 50+ years, four grown children, spent 30+ years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Major General in 1993. I cannot even begin to list the commendations he received over his career, and he probably would not want me to. If you are interested in Nate's biography click HERE.
       These days life is different for Nate, and for all of us close to him. I have grown to know and appreciate him as he is today, and sort of have the luxury of having not known him that well decades ago.
       Nate is teaching me some important lessons as we interact and we help him with his daily routine. Here's some of the lessons:

1. The gift of the "present moment" is all we truly have, whether we have memory loss or not;
2. The phrase "dogs are a man's best friend" makes even more sense with Nate and my dog Bailey;
3. One's dignity endures regardless of life circumstance. Nate is a person of tremendous dignity;

Maj. General Nate Lindsay

And so here is to you, Major General Nathan J. Lindsay!
It is an honor and privilege to be considered among your friends.