“A young person’s death is like a shipwreck at sea. An older person’s passing is a ship coming into port.”
I was at a funeral today. That fact alone is enough to make me feel introspective, but when the person being remembered is someone I’ve known my whole life, that introspection is pushed into high gear.
I’ve written before about growing old, and I would have to say that at my stage of life, I’m already not a big fan. Although I don’t feel half my actual age, here’s the thing.
Remember the days when little boys used to play with armies of toy soldiers, lining them up in rank and formation on the hearth rug while mother churned butter or kneaded bread? Neither do I, but you get the picture.
It seems to me that generations are lined up something like those little soldiers. As a child, you’re at the back of the ranks, surrounded by so many others you can’t even see the front, let alone imagine you’ll be forced to take your place there someday. Upon reaching young adulthood you may still be oblivious, but one day, probably at a time of loss, you will understand how the game works. That’s where I am right now.
One by one, mighty soldiers in the front lines of my life have fallen. Many of those now gone weren’t even related to me, but in many ways, and for many reasons, they formed part of the front generational line — the very line I felt was protecting me.
Yes, there are some gaping holes back where I’m standing, because life isn’t always fair, but the front lines have suffered the most. For me, there have been so many in the generation ahead, it’s taken quite awhile for the holes to start showing. Now that I can see through the last line standing ahead of me, I don’t like it one bit.
I have no fear of leaving this life, but I have a great fear of being called to leave it too soon. I’m very greedy about that and I lust after the gift of living, healthy and whole, to see my grandchildren grown up, and maybe even know great-grandchildren.
Days like today help me realize anew how important it is to develop and nurture relationships. I understand that I must buckle down and work hard at things I want to accomplish. Things like my writing. I like to think that parts of me will live on in the words I’ve written and the relationships I’ve maintained, no matter when my time comes to pass through the thin curtain separating this life from the one beyond.
Given good health and a sound mind though, I’d welcome the chance to put into port with a smile on my face at the end of a full and satisfying voyage.
Well written Phyllis!
Thank you.
I could have – should have – shared the truth of the facts you just wrote about.
For me it happened, most dramatically, the day my father passed away. Almost immediately I felt open space in front of me in life, unmarked, no instructions or obvious direction. Then rather suddenly the challenge emerged, as a great opportunity: strike out, make decisions based on faith, fact and values that had been engrained as I had moved along as a follower. Also, applying stategies that are learned given new experiences.
Those that now follow will be affected by my influence. Dad
Wow, Dad. That’s a blog post in itself. I think I have these feelings because you once described the empty space you felt in front of you after Grandad died. I envision that feeling exactly as I described it here.
So well said Herb and you seem to have lived that challenge !!
It never ceases to amaze me how we humans are so similar – we seem to reach these developmental/life stages at exactly the same time and respond to them in highly predictable ways. I have been thinking the same things over the past couple of years and even more now as the last person in the generation in front of me approaches the end of her journey. It is disconcerting to feel that you have reached the front of the line. It certainly puts a lot of life’s little irritations into perspective.
You’re right, Susan. No matter how we perceive or imagine it, even if it’s not consciously acknowledge, I think we all feel the same way. And it DOES put those irritations into perspective.