From a recent conversation with an old friend.
He says,
"As our years accumulate and our minds and bodies age, we've entered a different world buddy. Gradually and without consent, we are now living in a new world where our golden years have faded to gray. Hell, I hate what's happening.
As children and vibrant adults, our energy and thinking were endless gifts. However, as the decades have quickly passed our physical and mental sharpness have eroded. Changes to our bodies and mind slowly become apparent and disconcerting with each passing day. While we cling to some pleasant memories, shadows and echoes from the past, time has become our quiet relentless enemy. We are forced to reluctantly surrender to changes we despise and barely understand.
We've watched family and friends die and each loss erodes our sense of security, well being and meaningfulness. Every day is less a gift and more a challenge to survive the weaknesses and diseases wracking our unsteady bodies and often cluttered minds.
We were the boomers of the forties and fifties. Grateful for our "greatest generation" parents and kin and blessed with an endless bounty of opportunities and material things. In our time, we swore to make the world a better place and explore all the possibilities of science, love and social change. Many of us toiled to reach "the impossible dream" of a better world, but assassinations, Vietnam, politics, scandals, and personal problems rained discouragement on our best intentions. But, through those rough times we somehow survived and thrived.
Old friend, where is the remedy to the clouds that have grayed our blue skies of yesterday? Do we give up our remaining independence and check into the nearest assisted living place as our children and grands suggest? Do we find a painless exit from life? Do we gather our remaining money and set out on an endless long cruise? Just what the hell do we do now?"
A few minutes of silence followed then I replied.
First, I agree with practically everything you said. However, you overlooked an avenue which offers a fitting and logical conclusion to our mortality with a possible bonus. When we were children, most of our parents and elders had religion and they did their best to pass along the practices and beliefs to us. Many of us rejected their pleas and decided we would have a personal relationship with God. For some this worked, but for the majority I don't think it was too satisfying or worked out too well.
I think like toothpaste, there are many colors and varieties of religious beliefs. Most believe and preach an almighty being, a code of acceptable behavior and places where our immortal souls might go when life quits our bodies. Within most of these denominations there is a sense of community, prayerful reflections, room to perform good works and chances to be needed by others. Despite a few charlatans, phonies and clowns most Baptists, Jews, Buddhists, Catholics, Muslims and other folks subscribing to one church or another are pretty good people. None of them are full on saints or total sinners and that's why they do church. They simply want a chance to find heaven and tranquility after they die with the possible bonus of reuniting with their deceased family and friends.
As you say old pal, we're going to die sooner rather then later.
So, why not join me in a church service after I find my damn cane, hearing aid, glasses and car keys!
