Caring for each other, community, and shining bright through the golden and sunset years of one's life, are the theme of this week's Feel-Good Friday. 

On Wednesday, I was invited by my new friend John to the kickoff preview of the University of North Alabama's Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) Fall session. UNA-ILR President Susan Farris opened with this encouragement: "ILR works because we take care of each other." 

John said pretty much the same thing. He has served in the Korean War, lived in a number of states, been married, raised kids, and built a number of things. But John said that ILR is a huge part of what keeps him going. John celebrated his 91st birthday in August, and is sharper than a tack; so, there must be something to this.

So, what is ILR? According to Wikipedia, it's a program that started in New York City in 1962, in association with the New School for Social Research (now New School University). ILR offered college-level learning and development courses to people over 50. In 1977, Harvard University and Duke University sponsored similar programs, and from there, other higher learning institutions in different states followed. 

Over time the demand for similar programs in each state precipitated the formation of a partnership with ILR and Elderhostel, an established travel corporation that caters to people 50 and over, for the sole purpose of providing this model to higher learning institutions across the U.S. This peer-learning program has made a difference in the lives of elders, and the communities in which they live.

The UNA-ILR was packed to the brim with people across the spectrum of elders: quinquagenarians, sexagenarians, septuagenarians, octogenarians, and nonagenarians gathered for some great food and to hear about the very full, fall calendar of classes, from the history of African-Americans in the Shoals, to movie and book reviews, to Healthy Aging, and tons more.

What makes the model successful is that the presenters are the ILR members themselves. From the intelligent conversation I overheard, there is a wealth of talented people who enjoy sharing their knowledge and information with one another. "We are so fortunate," UNA-ILR President Farris said, "because it's, I mean, it's the talent of the people that just amazes me."

My friend John is leading presentations on antisemitism, a video series on the nonagenarians in the group filmed at John's own home in Florence, and biographies of notable North Alabama community leaders. Did I also tell you he was installing solar in his home?

"I can't sit still," he said. It appears that the ILR presenters and members are the same, and that is probably the secret sauce that keeps them vibrant and physically, cognitively, and spiritually alive. In a conversation with another friend named Ellen, we both agreed that as we move from quinquagenarians to sexagenarians, it is important to glean from those older than us. They have so much to teach us on how to redeem our remaining time, how to appreciate every moment we have, and how to share our knowledge and skills with those around us.  

The UNA-ILR fall semester runs from Monday, September 16, to Friday, November 8. If you're in the Shoals, North Alabama, or Tennessee area, you can still sign up! If you are interested in finding an ILR institute or starting one, visit the Road Scholar LLI Resource Network website.