Life on the Verge of 70
It is time to celebrate old age--
Well, middle old age, which begins with seventy years.
We ask where did the time go?
Our parents, children, friends, siblings, occupations, habits, and loves
Ate it up.
Memories fade and leave a space for inventing the past.
Endurance until you make it through gives way
To making a way around.
We ask where did our energy go?
Time for a nap.
Love was intense, passionate, and daring when we were young.
We are grateful for the love we have instead of love we want.
As we notice others have slipped on the banana peel
We pretend it cannot happen to us
And lose it all.
We set out to save the world from conquest of the greedy.
We were powerful, mostly in controlling ourselves.
We created a life to launch our children
Caves under blankets, sports, drama, music, and peers,
The DNA for grandchildren.
Our bodies were able to sustain the blows of all comers.
We recovered from accidents, fatal illness, and worn parts
Through grit, wisdom, and the mystical unifying force
That led us to healing people and health again.
How many chances?
What is left for two people who already have it all?
We have been to the mountain and the depths of the Grand Canyon.
Striving for ourselves is over, to give to the Creator in service
Of a world on the verge of life or death.
What’s next?
To Nate With Love and Honor
For his seventieth birthday
Sandra
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