I'm on the down-side of life's journey now. My youth is gone. It occurs to me that one of the great ironies in life is that we are expected to choose a career and a life partner while we are in our twenties. While I thought I knew everything when I was in my twenties...I realize now that I was an idiot! At 60 you can understand 20...but it doesn't work the other way around. In some ways growing older is like climbing a mountain.The higher you climb the farther you can see. I had no idea what I wanted out of life when I was in my twenties. Now that I've had a few birthdays I've figured it out...but don't have the energy I once had to enjoy it.
In my twenties I might have gravitated to someone who seemed to have "all the answers". I don't fall for that trap anymore. Now, I'm leery of anyone who makes such claims. My experiences in life have taught me a few things...though some had to be hammered in my head over and over before they finally sunk in.
There is a sadness in growing old...but there is a joy too. I'm not impressed by a lot of the things that impressed me in my youth. I've become too jaded. The things that impress me now are the simple and honest things. I find a good dog to be near the top of the list. I've learned to be a better man from dogs. As far as people go, I've come to see the truth that Marcus Aurelius wrote in his "Meditations". I try not to concern myself with other people except for some unselfish purpose. I realize we all have it in our power to tear each other down or uplift each other. My faith teaches me to try and do the latter.
I've lost too many friends and family members to death at this point in my life to think life is all joy. It has its joy to be sure...but seeing someone I care about die tempers that joy. I've come to see love as the power that transcends life and death and possibly even time and space. My love for some who have crossed the veil has grown stronger over the years. My faith teaches me that I will see them all again. In that way, one day, death will be welcome. I've grown to hate death but see it as a way out too...a chance to finally find out the answer to life's biggest questions.
There are still too many things I want to do in life...but I leave all that in God's hands. Right now I'm just enjoying the simple things.
