Rambling Thoughts from the Perspective of 67 Years…..

Living a long life, once universally celebrated, seems to come with as much complexity as it does promise. At 67, surrounded by friends and relatives who have also reached their 60s and 70s, I find myself pondering whether longevity really is the straightforward blessing it’s often made out to be. My grandparents and parents lived into their late 80s and 90s, and so too have many in my circle. We are products of generations that know how to endure, persevere, and adapt.

Yet, the world I inhabit today feels foreign and tumultuous—almost as if it’s spinning wildly, gaining momentum like a tornado that can’t be stopped. The sense of reality is blurred. There’s a heaviness in the air, almost like the pressure before a storm, making everyday existence feel strained and uncertain. Sometimes, it feels as if nothing is solid or dependable anymore.

My friends and I, though not eager to leave life behind, often reflect on whether living a very long life is as rewarding as it was once purported to be. It’s a sad realization, but one grounded in the reality of our times. Inflation eats away at savings and pensions; the cost of basic needs and medicines rises relentlessly. The safety nets we depend on like affordable healthcare and reliable pensions, are being eroded by those elected to look after us, and by forces much larger than any individual.

It’s not just economics. There’s a palpable shift in social values in which morals, empathy, and democracy feel like they’re disintegrating. The gap between everyday people and billionaires widens, with the latter often seeming to act with impunity. It’s hard not to feel as though those in power are taking more and more from us, leaving us with less security and dignity in our later years.

So, what is left for us, the ones who have lived through decades of transformation and uncertainty? Is longevity a reward when the fabric of society feels threadbare and the supports that used to make extended life comfortable are pulled away? The promise of a long life was, perhaps, more meaningful when it came with community, security, and respect for elders. Now, it feels like a question mark—an open-ended challenge rather than a destination.

Despite these concerns, there are moments of joy and connection, such as a shared laugh with friends, a cherished memory, a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, the smiles and laughter of grandkids and great grandkids. Longevity may not be the unmitigated good it used to be, but it still grants us time to reflect, appreciate, and perhaps find new meaning in the shifting world. As I ramble through these thoughts, I hope that those who read them, whatever their age, can understand the bittersweet beauty of living a long life in an uncertain era. As for me, honestly… There are days I sit and feel much older than I am, sometimes pondering the idea that I have lived too long. Other days, I wonder if I have another 20 years in me, or if I can mentally and soulfully have what it takes to meander through the dystopian world that seems to be rising around me. I am here until God says I am to go, this I know. However long that is, I am going to keep moving.