Death..justa question>?

[rikker]

I was visiting today with an old dear friend of my mums from Finland, in her eighties, who had experienced so much, but also really knew so much and recalled it all,then on through her work as a medical scientist, racing cars, canoeing, art, weaving...and on and on and on.

 

Anyways,

 

I am not on a religious rant but I am sure that many here have met older people , ( I am 57), that really know so much,who have such great skills and experiences, only to be snuffed out after taking years to learn said skills.(of course some of us do not learn much, me myself included, but when I talk to the older and wise I feel so humbled and sad that their skills are gone.

It just seems so sad that an intelligent and skilled life would be zeroed.

I guess this is getting a bit "Python" with what is the "meaning of life"?

Sorry, I know off topic, but it struck me today more than usual.

Edited January 30, 2013 by rikker

[coffee break]

It sounds like you came across some one who has aged well, like fine wine. Age alone does not create wisdom, there needs to be fine ingredients to begin with. It's good to be able to listen and learn.

[turboeric]

When my father was near death, he got to meet his brand new great-granddaughter for the first time. I was struck by the symmetry - as one life slips away, another one begins the adventure. We all live on in our children and their children - treasure them while you can.

[xcarguy]

My father once told me, "Once a man, twice a child". We all 'zero out' at some point. In early November of last year, he suffered—and survived—a heart attack. It was a reality check for me. On the day after Thanksgiving, he and I were out in his garage wrenching on his 39 Chevy gasser (I did most of the wrenching, but it was the bonding experience that counted). Later that day, we went to the airport and did some flying with a mutual friend. I can allow myself to be sad (and at times, I am) that his health is slowly waning and that our days together are truly numbered . . . or I can just smile, thank God for another memory, and ask him to pass me the 7/16” socket. Here's to my father, to fighting off the dreaded zero, and to living life to the fullest. :cheers:

 

Here's a photo of my dad and my daughter taken that day.

[Mondo]

I know, make you think of how much time we just piss away in front of the tv.... or computer;)

[jimrankin]

When they talk about "The Greatest Generation" they realy are not kidding. Not just them, but the generation of parents who raised them through the great depression and watched them, without complaining, go off to WW2 and die defending a country that they truely loved. Just about all of them are gone now, or soon to pass and we are going to be a lot worse off for it.

I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with my grandfather who I, as a child and young man, couldn't conceive of how he had gotten so smart when he never finished high school.

I missed a lot of "growing up" time with my father who was a "Navy Lifer" who quit college just as WW2 began, served in the submarine service throughout the war (While on the Cavala they alone sunk one of the large Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor) and went on to hold every pay grade from E1 to E9, W1 to W4 and O1 through O4. Surprisingly for that time and that occupation he was a feminist (he ran the ship, mom ran everything else, even when he had shore duty) and supported free thinking in us kids even when it didn't go along with his own. He didn't sing along when I'd blast Bob Dylans "Masters of War" on his stereo but he didn't make me take it or anything else off.

Between he and my mom they raised three kids who all were productive, sucessful and raised our own kids to be the same.

I lost my dad three years ago and my mom a year later but they are both still with me every day because every thing I do is somewhere deep down based on what I learned from them.

[lancylad]

When they talk about "The Greatest Generation" they realy are not kidding. Not just them, but the generation of parents who raised them through the great depression and watched them, without complaining, go off to WW2 and die defending a country that they truely loved. Just about all of them are gone now, or soon to pass and we are going to be a lot worse off for it.

I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with my grandfather who I, as a child and young man, couldn't conceive of how he had gotten so smart when he never finished high school.

I missed a lot of "growing up" time with my father who was a "Navy Lifer" who quit college just as WW2 began, served in the submarine service throughout the war (While on the Cavala they alone sunk one of the large Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor) and went on to hold every pay grade from E1 to E9, W1 to W4 and O1 through O4. Surprisingly for that time and that occupation he was a feminist (he ran the ship, mom ran everything else, even when he had shore duty) and supported free thinking in us kids even when it didn't go along with his own. He didn't sing along when I'd blast Bob Dylans "Masters of War" on his stereo but he didn't make me take it or anything else off.

Between he and my mom they raised three kids who all were productive, sucessful and raised our own kids to be the same.

I lost my dad three years ago and my mom a year later but they are both still with me every day because every thing I do is somewhere deep down based on what I learned from them.

 

Well said Jim. Couldnt agree more.

[S1Steve]

When they talk about "The Greatest Generation" they realy are not kidding. Not just them, but the generation of parents who raised them through the great depression and watched them, without complaining, go off to WW2 and die defending a country that they truely loved. Just about all of them are gone now, or soon to pass and we are going to be a lot worse off for it.

I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with my grandfather who I, as a child and young man, couldn't conceive of how he had gotten so smart when he never finished high school.

I missed a lot of "growing up" time with my father who was a "Navy Lifer" who quit college just as WW2 began, served in the submarine service throughout the war (While on the Cavala they alone sunk one of the large Japanese carriers that had attacked Pearl Harbor) and went on to hold every pay grade from E1 to E9, W1 to W4 and O1 through O4. Surprisingly for that time and that occupation he was a feminist (he ran the ship, mom ran everything else, even when he had shore duty) and supported free thinking in us kids even when it didn't go along with his own. He didn't sing along when I'd blast Bob Dylans "Masters of War" on his stereo but he didn't make me take it or anything else off.

Between he and my mom they raised three kids who all were productive, sucessful and raised our own kids to be the same.

I lost my dad three years ago and my mom a year later but they are both still with me every day because every thing I do is somewhere deep down based on what I learned from them.

 

I agree that was a Great Generation. And I had one that I feel moulded me into the person I am today. I only had one Grandfather, and he taught me all the good things you need to know as a young man. He's been dead for over 30 years, and I still say to myself, What would Pop-Pop do .. Damm I miss that guy...

[lancylad]

I agree that was a Great Generation. And I had one that I feel moulded me into the person I am today. I only had one Grandfather, and he taught me all the good things you need to know as a young man. He's been dead for over 30 years, and I still say to myself, What would Pop-Pop do .. Damm I miss that guy...

 

That's exactly the way I feel about my Dad, God bless him. They don't make them like that anymore....