I liked Daniel Callahan’s piece, [click HERE to read it] and I liked how he got me thinking about the war metaphors used with aging and death. As a Norwegian American, I grew up hearing the myths of my ancestors along with Bible stories at my Grandmother’s knee. The poem “Beowulf” is central to my work in hospice. Old Age was the elderly woman the god Thor could not beat in a wrestling match. Grey haired Beowulf could defeat the dragon but die in the process. As Daniel Callahan pointed out, as my ancestors underlined, a struggle *against* aging and death is a fight no one will ever win. Oh, but to struggle *with* them both–that is a source of wisdom. Even a god learns of his limitations, the old king gains the dragon’s treasure for his people.
As my grandmother entered her nineties, I watched her digest a lifetime’s experience, face up bluntly and boldly to what she thought she needed to, and dedicate herself to fixing what she could before she left this world. She did just that, right up until she died in her bed. I still regard hers as a heroic death I hope to emulate.
Anna Nereim has worked in hospice for sixteen years in Southern California
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The idea of a battle is very Jewish, stemming from the spiritual foundations of Judaism in Kabbalah. My battle against my lower self, and constant opportunity to choose my higher self in every situation is the same battle I have as I age. On one hand, I have more wisdom. On the other hand, I have the distinct challenges that aging continually provides. To me, these battles are not a waste of time. They are testimony to my life, my unique existence that contributes to the rectification process we call Tikkun Olam. At every age, in every challenge I have an opportunity to choose life, until the moment when I no longer have a choice.
Yes, it is true no mortal will win the contest against aging and death, but we spend a lot of time trying. This is wasted time, use it for meaningful things that matter. Attempt to live a righteous life and do the best by every human you have interactions with and this will make you wise and caring for all. Doing these things will give you little time to struggle against the “twin” affliction will visit each of us if we live to that age.