I’m going to violate a community norm of modesty by reporting that Emily and I gave a significant donation to the Friends of the COA, one we could ill afford. On the surface, the objective of the fund drive is to purchase a much-needed van to drive seniors to appointments, shopping and outings. But a more important and real objective is to retard the constant assault that aging imparts on the dignity of our growing population of elders: Those pants or dress of yesterday, once a joy to wear, may not fit the body of today; the word that perfectly describes the color of the sky requires more work to bring to mind; the energy spent to achieve mundane tasks is much greater and more time-consuming than in the past.
Harvard is going to have to make tough choices this year, cutting funds in some projects to reach a balanced budget. At the same time, the COA will be asking for a modest operating increase of $24,700 or so to operate the van that will be purchased completely by donated funds. The objective is to provide transportation, and in so doing, accomplish a higher goal to support the dignity of neighbors we have known for years.
Emily Harris and Dan Kagan
Old Littleton Road
