Death & Old Age

Death and Old Age are strange bedfellows. They never speak, nor do they ever listen. Since the Dawn and to the Dusk, forever they will walk hand in hand. They were made for one another; like two peas in a pod. Married as they are, hand in hand, they punch their cards on the eternal time clock, day after day, after day, after day. And while mere mortals muse and rouse about their own inevitability, the old married couple remains silent, never speaking, never listening.

The cries and pleas of said mortals fall upon their deaf ears. Through years of practice, Death and Old Age have mastered the art of ignorance. While others called ignorance “bliss,” they preferred to call it a matter of “conscience.” For Death, there is no alternative, no negotiation. Old Age, being the more forgiving of the two, seldom grants leniency to others. There are a few who’ve managed to prolong their own engagements to Old Age, but not Death. Many have tried to escape their own passing, but never succeeded. Attempting to cheat Death is like trying to run away from one’s own shadow. Resistance, as it is often said, is completely and utterly futile.

With the evidence of Death, its presence and the indisputable power it has, people have come to fear it over the generations. The superficial loathe it while the superstitious admire it. The dying lay weeping on their deathbed, praying Death would never come. Surprisingly, it is only at the advent of their demise that they finally reconcile with the days of their past tense. They cling desperately to the precipice of Life, knowing they’re destined to fall. Whatever flicker of Life they possessed would eventually by extinguished by the cold hand of Death itself. Those remaining will stand ever watchful, ever woeful of the inescapable shadow that haunts us all.

It is both strange and meaningless to converse over one’s fear of Death. One can only waste precious time doing so, for Death would surely draw ever closer, nearer with greater cadence. Anticipation rarely helps. Death, being the cunning caretaker it is, is always in contention for surprises. It could come at any moment; at any time or any place. Such is its unpredictable nature. It will, however, abide by the very laws and rules set forth since its own creation. Death harbors no ill-will in its taking of Life. Despite its rebuke, as many have passed to curse it so, Death will always remain silent. It never speaks. It never listens.

Old Age, on the other hand, will sometimes grant what many refer to as “mercy.” On occasion, Old Age has the tendency to turn a blind eye to a select few. Those fortunate have aged gracefully, while others have not. Some haven’t even the slightest of wrinkles. Others have worn away, the youth sifted through the sands of Time. Like Death, plenty attempt to evade the clutches of Old Age. There exist such things as “foundation,” “mascara,” and “aging cream.” Such makeup can oftentimes mask but never truly hide one’s age. One may hide away from Old Age, but they can never hide away from Death.

In later years, reminiscing is a dangerous endeavor. Complacency over faded beauty or missed opportunities influences regret. More Time is wasted, thinking about the memories of the past. Memories exist for two reasons, to be looked back upon, typically with fond or unfeeling emotions, or learned from, as a Life lesson. Anything otherwise could be nothing more than a simple inability to move on. At the end of such unhealthy recollections, Old Age and Death are already at the doorstep.

But fear not, for they are never present for bad tidings. Though many regard them to be so, Death and Old Age are nothing more than dear reminders. With Old Age, an appreciation for the beauty you had then and now can be fully reimbursed. One look in a mirror can do that. Take care of the body, and perhaps Old Age may be just as forgiving. Apart from that, and the impeccable splendor of beauty could just as easily turn into a devious obsession with superficiality, leading to uncertainty and depression. Death, besides that, will come to remind everyone what it means to treasure Life. With Life, Death is never too distant. A death of a loved one is usually, if not always, tragic. While tears may be shed for their passing, it should be taken to heart. Every moment spent alive should not be taken for granted; it should be treasured. And no one should fear Death, either. It is inevitable, just as the sun is sure to rise as it does set. Be comforted knowing that Life is still present, for who knows, perhaps Death is just around the corner.

Happy New Years.