Mortal

The chilly rain is following and the wind is gusting in Little Egypt. I attempted to walk campus today…but the persistent rain and wind dissuaded me. I have taken to house walking during inclement weather. I rather like it! During my younger years house walking would have been difficult in our four room home in Elkville, Illinois. MJ and I laughed, the other evening, when we reflected on the fact that we do not move very often. We were in Elkville for 23 years and we have been in our current home in Carbondale for 20 years. Our 43rd anniversary is this March. I have been thinking that the element that makes our lives so special and unique is that we are mortal. We are temporaries in an environment that we would like to be permanent.

When Christmas comes around each year…we understand that we will only experience a certain number of celebrations. When our children crawl onto our knee we understand that this time of bliss is fleeting. When our wife or husband grasps our hand in wedded bliss and the hope for a bright future…we know that our youth will evaporate and our life will pass like a weaver’s shuttle. Time will not wait for us nor will life slow down in order for our slow savor of the fragrance of love and peace and excitement and wonder that is before us…

Think back on the reality of your loved ones. The concrete reality of your grandmother and your grandfather. The everlasting assurance of your mom and your dad. The secure comfort of your career and your comfort in doing something that your are good at and successful at. The struggle to make enough money to live. The peace that comes form securing shelter and food and the accouterments of a middle class life style for you and your family. A nice home and a new automobile or automobiles and European vacations and travel and the money available to do so… And yet your days are numbered. You are like the Prisoner in the popular television series of the same name…you are looking for an escape….when all your future is tied to the future of those that came before you.

There is a feature movie running and many of us are not aware of the title or our role in the production. Shakespeare said that; ‘Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day. To the last syllable of recorded time; And all of our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a waking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.’ William Shakespeare…Macbeth

Let us not let our life; ; be told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’ Our mark on this life is fleeting. The difference that we can effect and facilitate and cause…is passing before our tired eyes. What we need to do…we need to do today. Tomorrow may be too late… Happiness is contained in the bright eyes of others. Love is held in the tears of a friend that believed that there last hope had passed them by…until you came along. Faith is the outstretched hand that you extend to your brother or sister that is in need and how has given up hope of anyone caring about them or the condition that they are in….