Father Time has caught up with the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers. These generations are full of people I read about in magazines & newspapers, watched on TV & movies and listened to on the radio. These generations were filled with the political leaders, athletes, celebrities, rock stars, business leader and heroes through much of my adult life. Some I looked up to and tried to emulate. Some I detested.
Ordinary people from these generations were a big part of my life too. These included my relatives, my friends’ older family members, teachers, neighbors, shopkeepers, bosses, coworkers, tradespeople, authority figures and acquaintances. Many people from this group had a significant influence on my worldview, values and perspective on life.
Many of them have dropped out of public life. Those I knew personally have died, retired, moved away, or otherwise disappeared from my life. It’s sometimes hard to see pictures of them now that they are in their late 70s, 80s and beyond. The attractive, strong, vibrant adults I picture in my head now appear to be withered and weak, rapidly approaching the end of their lives.
My wife’s death five years ago focused my attention on aging, diseases and dying. Then during the Covid pandemic, daily reports of elderly people succumbing to the virus were unavoidable. My mother’s health continues to decline. All of my other older relatives who were part of my life have long since passed.
Most recently, the decline of Diane Feinstein, Joe Biden, Mitch McConnell and other politicians in our gerontocracy are impossible to avoid seeing.
These people once played a big part of society and my world. Then, almost overnight, they seem to disappear.
None of us are as important as we might think we are. And none of us will beat Father Time.