Letters image courtesy of TomDryden.com
By Carolyn Worthington
What an honor it is to be featured in the launch of TomDryden.com and his moving post, “Letters to Live By.”
As Tom shared in his post, my husband David and I first met Tom and his wife through our kids, who were in nursery school together. I remember standing in line with the other parents, overhearing Tom telling one of his trademark hilarious stories. I turned around and thought, Who is this guy? From that moment on, we became fast friends — and I’ve been laughing ever since.
In the early days of building the Healthy Aging® multi-media platform, David and I developed a national initiative in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service. The centerpiece was the Healthy Aging® Letter-writing Contest, which invited Americans 50 and over to share their hard-earned wisdom on growing older. We reached out to Tom, who not only had a successful advertising agency but was also a brilliant writer and contest creator. We knew he was the perfect person to help us bring the campaign to life — and he exceeded every expectation.
Thousands of letters poured in from across the country. The finalist letters were ultimately judged by a panel of esteemed individuals, including Jane Brody of The New York Times, Dr. Robert Butler, Dr. James Bieren, and the indomitable Dr. Ida Davidoff, who judged the 90+ category at the age of 92.
But before they could weigh in, we had to narrow down the entries — no small feat. That’s when Tom offered to help read through them — a massive and heartfelt undertaking. He truly gave each entry the care and respect it deserved, and it was only fitting that he be the one to write the introduction for the resulting book, Healthy Aging®: Inspirational Letters from Americans. His beautiful words distilled the common threads of wisdom, humor, resilience, and mental strength that resonated throughout the letters. His insight brought the entire project full circle.
Winners of the 1996 Healthy Aging Letter Writing Contest on the steps of the US Postal Service Museum. Center: Willard Scott and Carolyn Worthington. Far right: David Chauner. Far left: Tom Chapin
We were so proud to have Tom join us at the black-tie gala in Washington, D.C., where winners were honored at the U.S. Postal Museum. Our spokesperson, Willard Scott, beloved Today Show weatherman and birthday ambassador for America’s centenarians, was also there. Tom Chapin, Grammy Award-winning musician, performed his original song, I’m Half of 100, which he wrote for our public television special, Healthy Aging … Redefining America, produced in conjunction with the contest. (Fun fact: Tom Chapin is featured on the current cover of Healthy Aging® Magazine. He just turned 80 and is still going strong!) Ida Davidoff, our 92-year-old judge, came too. She flew down to Washington, DC, and took the stage at the event, cane in hand, regaling the audience with her cries, “Down with aging! Down with aging!”
Take a moment to visit TomDryden.com — and keep a tissue handy for the last few lines of Tom’s article. His reflections on the power of letters and the memory of Florence Woods’ beautiful metaphor about drinking from one’s own cistern will stay with you. And if you’re in the mood for laughter, be sure to check out his new book, Retired & Moved to Florida.
Thank you, Tom Dryden, for featuring our Healthy Aging® promotion, which we enjoyed working on with you, and that meant so much to all of us. You reminded us that the wisdom of older generations is one of the greatest treasures we can pass along.
