The days of our years in them are threescore and ten years. But if in the strong they be fourscore years: and what is more of them is labour and sorrow. For mildness is come upon us: and we shall be corrected.
PSALM 89:10 DOUAY-RHEIMS
I begin this post on a sad note because one of the YouTubers I have followed for years has contracted Stage 4 cancer in his bladder at age 72. I contrast this with the lady in our parish who died of a bacterial heart infection at age 38. Then, there is the young man who was 8 years old who died from liver cancer. Virtually everyone dies too young in the opinion of someone. I take issue with this.
One day, I sat down and mapped out what I refer to now as "stages of life." It is a handy guide to know where you fall on the age issue. It is based on 20 year increments.
1. YOUTH 0-20
Youth is from the time you were born to the time your parents can kick you out of the house. This is a time of innocence which turns into arrogance and ignorance by the teen years. The only valuable thing gained from these years is a basic academic understanding of the world.
2. YOUNG ADULTHOOD 20-40
The next stage is considered the prime of life when you are young and fit. This is the best time of life to start a career and start a family. The downside is that you don't know everything yet and learn bitter lessons along the way.
3. MIDDLE AGE 40-60
Middle age is when you gather wisdom and wealth. You are young enough to keep working and smart enough to not make the same mistakes you made in youth. But your body begins to slow down at this stage. This is why most professional athletes retire at 40 and move to something like coaching or on air analysis.
4. OLD AGE 60-80
Old age is when your body rapidly deteriorates, and you should be preparing to die. No one wants to hear this, but it is the truth. Life ends, and it usually ends sometime after 70 for most people. I am watching that now with many people I know. If you make it to 70, you can't say that you died young.
5. BONUS TIME 80-100+
There are some individuals who are outliers and live beyond the average life expectancy. This is not a blessing as these advanced years will be the most miserable that you ever endured. I think dying at 60 from a heart attack is better than dying from Alzheimer's at 80. The recent death of Gene Hackman showed to me how heartbreaking that disease can be.
I don't think this life has very much to offer. My life has been mostly misery with a few pleasures here and there. The only real joy I find in my life comes from my wife and from my Roman Catholic faith. I don't understand how people can expend so much time, money, and energy chasing after the vanities of this life. As for dying young, the only thing that matters is dying in a state of grace and going to Heaven one day. It is better to die at 8 as a saint than at 80 as some self indulgent boomer chasing an end of life vacation. As for me, I am 54 at the time of this writing, and I feel old. If I die, no one should ever claim that I died young.
