Out living our ancestors

This week I passed a significant milestone. I passed the age my dad died at. I'd had the date in my head for some time.

My dad outlived my uncle by a couple of months. Looking back over our family tree no male antecedent had made it as far as dad. Grandad, greet uncles, great great grandads etc all gone often well before the 59 years 10 months and 4 days dad got to.

My late cousin made 62 before he sadly passed away from cancer early in the covid-19 lockdown. My brother is setting a family all comers record now above 63 despite his internal defib causing some hospitalisations.

Now I'm passed Dad it is weird - how the hell have I managed to get here?

As they say "carpe diem".

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Freeranger · M

I think that, due to traditions, families always make these loose comparative studies where parents, grandparents or whomever, who live to certain ages are a bench mark in which, the rest feel that, at least, they're good to that line. I think that line is for the optimist.

As a realist, I take consolation in the fact that, my family has a very long set of longevity on it's side, and while it would be nice I suppose, I take more of a surfer's view of things knowing that, at some point, my wave is going to feather out on the beach with no exceptions.

I'm okay with that. I try to enjoy each day and what it provides. I don't look very far ahead, and I only look behind for a bit of context....Life seems more comfortable that way. My glass is neither half empty or...half full. I see water in it and am thankful for the hydration.