Wow. Beautiful. Such an amazing essay. Thank you for sharing this one. All of it.
I became keenly aware of my own expiration date every time there was a death in my life - and they happen rather often, sadly.
My aunt’s little sister, who was in high school & I was in 3rd grade.
The kid who sat behind me in 9th grade History Class.
When my dad died and he was barely 69. This one hit me the hardest.
When a good friend died and he was just 59.
When another good friend died and he was just 50.
I also am keenly aware of my own expiration date since I was a baby and choked on a peach pit. I remember that.
When I took my son to a minor operation - three times - and he had to be put under each time.
And when I went for heart surgery in my 40s and had to be put to sleep.
I think the older we get, the more we are aware of our own expiration date. It’s just the truth of life. And it makes us push to do good things before we are gone.
And I sadly like the part, too, where you said we don’t have to manufacture the bad stuff. It comes on its own. That’s for damn sure.
I am living on borrowed time! Had they not found the cancer when I was 38, I would not be here today.
My youngest brother was 22 when it was too late for him.
But yes, we're all mortal and we better know that we could go at any moment! "They" don't want us to be aware of that expiration date, because an expiration date may make us thing about "time" differently.
It's an interesting thing, this one life we have here, isn't it? Enjoy the flea - and the structure of DNA - but don't lose sight of the big picture while you're at it - whatever that is.
I am sorry you lost your Dad so young!
My Mom and Dad, in their older years, when they'd visit the places of their youth, Dad would ask Mom "Where do you want to go first?" "Lets start with the grave yard", she'd reply. "It's where we know the most people." It's becoming true for me - for graveyards all over the world.
Wow. Beautiful. Such an amazing essay. Thank you for sharing this one. All of it.
I became keenly aware of my own expiration date every time there was a death in my life - and they happen rather often, sadly.
My aunt’s little sister, who was in high school & I was in 3rd grade.
The kid who sat behind me in 9th grade History Class.
When my dad died and he was barely 69. This one hit me the hardest.
When a good friend died and he was just 59.
When another good friend died and he was just 50.
I also am keenly aware of my own expiration date since I was a baby and choked on a peach pit. I remember that.
When I took my son to a minor operation - three times - and he had to be put under each time.
And when I went for heart surgery in my 40s and had to be put to sleep.
I think the older we get, the more we are aware of our own expiration date. It’s just the truth of life. And it makes us push to do good things before we are gone.
And I sadly like the part, too, where you said we don’t have to manufacture the bad stuff. It comes on its own. That’s for damn sure.
So glad you’re writing your SubStack.
Thank you, Jodi!
I am living on borrowed time! Had they not found the cancer when I was 38, I would not be here today.
My youngest brother was 22 when it was too late for him.
But yes, we're all mortal and we better know that we could go at any moment! "They" don't want us to be aware of that expiration date, because an expiration date may make us thing about "time" differently.
It's an interesting thing, this one life we have here, isn't it? Enjoy the flea - and the structure of DNA - but don't lose sight of the big picture while you're at it - whatever that is.
I am sorry you lost your Dad so young!
My Mom and Dad, in their older years, when they'd visit the places of their youth, Dad would ask Mom "Where do you want to go first?" "Lets start with the grave yard", she'd reply. "It's where we know the most people." It's becoming true for me - for graveyards all over the world.