Too often, those in our sixties and beyond hear about the stress that everyone, regardless of age, can be under. As time goes by, we encounter various health challenges, some minor and others life-threatening. The true wealth of good health cannot be measured in gold but in the golden days, moments, and times spent with loved ones. We often fail to realize how fragile life is until we experience a moment that reminds us of its preciousness. Sometimes, it takes a significant scare to remember what truly matters, that there’s no place like home, especially when surrounded by those you love.
I’ve always believed that love is an energy that flows through the universe like a river. For the past two decades, I’ve felt that the reservoir of this potent river was located on the east end, perhaps in Gardiner’s Bay. In our lifetimes, we all have quests, dreams, successes, and a few disasters. For our loved ones, we wish for the best of health, and we also hope to remain healthy to share those wonderful moments with them for a long and happy life.
After Labor Day, the east end returns to its routine. The older one gets, the more apparent certain life patterns become. The grandeur of the Labor Day weekend in 2023 was a success, with socialites in expensive gowns and remarkable shoes and handbags that I could never afford attending parties, galas, fundraisers, Yacht Club events, and exclusive private parties. Subsequently, arrangements were made for their jets, helicopters, or chauffeurs to have everything ready for their next scene, whether in New York City or Los Angeles.
I believe the number of new Range Rovers suddenly decreases on east end roads as the number of working vans increases. When the east end summer season ends, and the hard-working, every day east end residents reclaim their home turf, things get busy, not only on the east end but possibly across the nation.
I believe that morning and evening traffic actually becomes heavier after Labor Day because everyone is returning to work full-time. There is work to be done on homes that were postponed all summer. Vans of various colors, adorned with impressive advertising, navigate their way all over the Hamptons. It’s impressive how many independent workers there are. It’s time to put on the tool belt and get to work. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still some wild white bass fishing to be done. It just means it’s time to earn some “Doe-Rae-Me.”
People work for various reasons—some are driven by passion, some are naturally gifted, and others have no choice but to work to make ends meet. Unfortunately, many individuals become ensnared in their career pursuits and forget what’s truly important in life. I believe that appreciating the world around you, seeing it, understanding it, and even loving it, is crucial. I recall driving to work along the ocean back roads of Wainscott, heading to Bridgehampton. I believe that ride can be as beautiful as any scenic route on the east end. The old farms, the cornfields stretching to the ocean, the vistas, and the genuine sense of country life – this is truly an incredible country.
In the end, my wealth will not be measured in pieces of silver. Unless everyone rushes to buy my books, that’s unlikely to happen. My wealth will be deeply stored in my mind, in memories of children laughing, days spent on ocean beaches, the smiles of friends, and, above all, the knowledge that I had profound love in my life. I took the time to stop and smell the roses, to learn about them and nurture them so that others could enjoy their fragrance. There is a wealth here that extends beyond mere pieces of silver.
