Passing Time
Because tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time. It's all just another day, one after the other, a succession of tomorrows; tomorrow may be another day, but it's still just another day, no cause for optimism or hope. Bard Bill had a way of seeing monotony in the miraculous.
Eventually, the pace, petty or not, runs out, and a final breath brings down the house of cards. What disposition, values, or genetics impact the temporal space between the mewling first gasp at birth and the final sigh? Is this a destination or journey question?
I have attended numerous birthday parties for family and associates as they turned 90, 95, and older. The celebration was warranted on one occasion as the birthday boy still led a vibrant, purposeful life filled with new memories, laughter, stories everyone recalled, and generally good health. The celebrant knew it was their birthday and recognized the attendees and even had a recollection from some past experience to share with the group. Quantity of life meets quality of life. It sounds harsh to suggest that our lives should end naturally when the quality of the experience diminishes. For myself and those I love, I hope that my best before date comes long before I cannot embrace the details of my past and celebrate the treasured moments of the present. I want the end on my terms, selfish, I know. There is no reason for me to reach an arbitrary date if my legacy is the number of days. My mother and grandmother told me, "They want life in their days, not days in their lives." This adage resonates and inspires. Can I add vibrancy, laughter, purpose, responsibility, and love rather than striving to cautiously and confusedly march toward 90 years or longer? Who should get to make that decision for me? For you?
Modern medicine is a marvel, but pushed to a penultimate or ultimate conclusion, it becomes misfortune. The end is the destination and part of the journey but the trip through life is cheapened if we try to cheat death.