George Francis died at 112 years, 204 days this week. The oldest man in America is now Walter Breuning of Montana at 112 years 98 days. The oldest woman is Gertrude Bains right here in La County at 114. Many people I talk to about longevity question why anyone would want to live so long. It sems like an odd question to me, it carries assumptions about aging that I need explained to me over and over. It reflects someone who may not be looking forward to whatever is coming next. George Francis had a reason to live this long. It was so he, as an african american, could vote for the first african american president in history. He seemed to value his vote, he used it for Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s. He was in the world. He participated. If you think you may not want to live to 112 years, think about one thing that you do want to live for, to do, or see, or say. Then work on how to get there. It helps to write down a goal. It makes it more real in your mind, it keeps you from forgetting and gives you something to cross off when it's accomplished. I'm not asking for a new years resolution, just name a goal you already have. Write it down. Take a step.