End of An Era

So, we had some sad news in the family this weekend. Mrs. G.'s grandmother passed away on Saturday, the last of all grandparents for either of us. Now, she was 92 years old, had no major health issues, and lived to see her great-great-grandaughter born, so this wasn't unexpected or sudden or anything. We will miss Grannie, of course, but she had certainly lived a long, full life.

It does, however, bring one's own mortality up front and center when a relative passes. It's even more sobering when, with this passing, the generation shifts-we're now moved up the chain as the last of the old guard goes gently into that good night. Very few of my peers have grandparents still alive, no one in my immediate circle of which I am aware.

I've often stated that we go through many phases in our lives. When you're a kid/teenager, people die in accidents or the rare sickness-but not as a standard rule of thumb. There might be the occasional great-grandparent or great-aunt, but generally we don't face mortality.

As we reach our 20s, we start seeing grandparents and those of our peers starting to pass on. When we hit our 40s, it starts being our own parents. Entering our 60s, it starts being our own peers. With the passing of the last of the grandparents, our "group" has gotten just a little closer to our own appointment with Death. Who talks in all caps.

We only get one chance at this, folks; make the most of it...

That is all.


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