What would you think if somebody said to you, “You’re going to be 80. How do ya feel?” Well, I can tell you, you stop auditioning for approval. You know who you are, what you love and what matters. At 80, the noise fades and the music gets clearer. I’ve had a life in front of audiences, under lights, through triumph and heartbreak. What’s left is joy. Real joy. The kind you don’t chase. You recognize it, you hold it and you say thank you.
The worst thing
You lose people. That’s the truth of it. Friends, collaborators, parts of your own history. You carry them with you, but the room gets quieter. And your body has its own opinions now. I’ve learned to listen, not fight it. You adjust. You find new rhythms. Still, the missing never quite goes away.
Any advice for the president as he turns 80?
I would say this to any president: Turning 80 gives you perspective. You’ve seen enough to know what lasts and what costs people too much. Use that. Stay curious. Stay engaged. Experience is an asset if you keep learning and listening. Surround yourself with people who tell you the truth. You are there to take care of people. Listen when they are struggling. Act with fairness. Remember every decision reaches someone’s real life. Lead with empathy.
