Robert writes: “Not much has changed since our 50th class reunion, and that indicates to me that I am on my life-course. I elect not to respond to the prompt question for this writing about what I miss from the past. I am grateful for the consistent gifts of God in my past and present, life and health (so far, no pills), and being able to sleep well at night. Though being nostalgic presents rewarding memories, I do not live there. Every aspect of my life from birth to present, including the St. Olaf years, are a divine blessing, and every relationship, experience, and venue a rewarding aspect of my life. Now I am presently focused and forward looking.

After 40 years of serving as an ordained minister in my beloved Lutheran church, I am equally enjoying my second profession, professor of philosophy and world religions. Interaction with the academic community and students, as well as the Southwest Philosophical Society, is challenging and refreshing. I wished I had another 40 years to complete this segment of who I am. However, after serving as treasurer of the Society for four years, I am retiring from this position after our spring 2015 meeting.

Personal growth in the Augustinian Trinitarian model of body-mind-spirit is presently occupying me with:

1. Being a blessing and not a curse in the lives of the persons about whom I think, talk about, and interact with. This is an intentional, working activity. If you are interested, read The Curse of Blessings: Sometimes the Right Story Can Change Your Life, by Mitchell Chefitz. I read this small book while sitting in the operation room of my dermatologist surgeon, as he practiced his profession on my face for eight hours removing a melanoma for the second time, which resulted in a face lift. I have been and still am a sun worshipper, and now I have to pay the penalty.

2. The Great Courses offers many educational opportunities of which I participate. One of these is “How to Stay Fit as You Age”, by Dr. Kimberlee Bethany Bonura. This program is an encouragement to instruct in and inspire the individual to keep the body-mind-spirit in balance. My Bow-Flex Extreme unit and swimming pool are personal advantages to maintain this Trinitarian principle. If you are interested, be sure to order the videos, so that you can see the practices. The emphasis is on structured movement, even yoga practices.

3. A significant addition to my life has been the practice of mindfulness/meditation, appreciating and celebrating the present moment, no matter what the life activity is. This practice is refreshing, satisfying, and energizing for continuing daily activities. It is stress removing and energy renewing for daily activities, since the concentration is on appreciating the activity/experience/thought at hand.

I do my hour morning walk every day, rain or shine, and during that time I say my prayers, part of which is an existential reflection on how this all ends for me. That is, what is the next step? This is a curiosity for me. I am not afraid of it, believing that, as in the past and in the present and in the future, I shall be in the salvific benevolence of God.

I love our weather here in Houston. It is starting to get colder, but I have my Norwegian sweaters to keep me warm during the winter months, another blessing of life. Looking forward to seeing you all at our 55th class reunion, God and life willing,

Courage, hope, endurance to all,

Robert M. Louis”