Been There, Done That
Age 98
We will survive.
I had asked Dottie, a nonagenarian, whether she might contribute to this project. I first checked in with her daughter-in-law to see if this might be too much of an ask: she assured me it was not. Dottie is still very lively, living fully, engaged.
When I communicated with Dottie via e-mail - yes, she’s embraced technology! - she replied half-jokingly that she couldn’t even remember 64 since that marker had passed over 30 years prior. She had moved on. Nonetheless she agreed to participate and came back with the essay that I titled “Been There, Done That.” It was such a different take on the assignment - as I knew it would be - and as I read it I found the wisdom in her words.
Through all of the challenges and obstacles that each of us experience - both big and small - somehow we overcome, we get through. With determination and an indomitable spirit, “We Will Survive.” Dottie is living proof.
While we are living it, we should embrace it ALL fully.
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Paul McCartney was 15 when he wrote “When I’m 64”. What did he know about the leading words, “When I get older” that a man would land on the moon, views of Mars would be seen and the technology of computers was used worldwide.
“When I Was 64” I had experienced the Wall Street Crash of 1929 that contributed to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. Paul’s lyrics, “ Will you still feed me, will you still need me” befitted the time as family and neighbors shared and took care of each other. Never “Locked the door” to those in need.
WE SURVIVED.
The “need” to prove the safety of our country was proven in 1941 when the United States joined the allied forces to fight in World War II. My patriotic duty prompted me to join the Marine Corps to fight for peace and a better world.
WE SURVIVED.
“The days by the fireside knitting a sweater” were not to be. Korea, Vietnam, Gulf wars were fought taking the lives of our courageous troops. World peace was not to be with Afghanistan still in need of United States support.
“We shall scrimp and save”, sang Paul. But we can’t save the world from the life threatening Coronavirus pandemic until a vaccine is developed to cure the COVID-19 to bring a “new normal” to all people.
WE WILL SURVIVE.