From Gramps

I was just thinking about life in the fast lane. For me and Nana B, that's anything faster than a shuffle. So many around us, many of them younger than we, are clinging to life by their fingernails, battling cancer, heart problems and asssorted other ailments. Modern science and medicine are keeping them alive. They insist on hanging in there. Another neighbor doesn't take that view. He says, "Life sucks!" He blames science and medicine for the fact that people are living too long, including him. After parenting eight kids, being a city manager-type and a stake president in the Church, he's apparently finding retirement and old age not very exciting. Well, sometimes, maybe life isn't all that exciting, but it beats the alternative.

In consideration of the fact that Nana and I were recently discussing death and burial with some family members and, afterward, cool Joe J. quietly and privately said to each of us, "Don't die any time soon," we have no intentions in that direction. Personally, I'm shooting for age 100 and expecting Nana B to outlive me. I don't fear what is likely to come after that, but I think we only have one shot at mortality and I plan to exploit it to the limit, artificial joints, stainless steel bone screws, plastic eye lens inserts and nylon net hernia patches notwithstanding.

Some of the things that keep us interested are the plans and activities of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our children and their spouses haven't quit trying new things and striving to be better at one or more things today than they were yesterday. Grandchildren are exceeding the previous two generations in education, business/professional attainment and fitness. Great grandchildren are a hoot, the ones close by. The ones further away are soon to visit and we'll see, in the flesh, all the cuteness and vitality that we've, so far, seen mostly in pictures, hard copy and internet. We're looking forward to the arrival today of Paul, Missy, Violet, Jude and Erik, and very soon, Heather, Rob, Hallie, Jaxon, Michele and maybe Mike C. The state of Utah will rock! At least, from the view of 9587 N 4500 W, Cedar Hills, it will!

So, the fast lane is all a matter of perspective and timing. Some days, we go at a snail's pace; other days, we are hardly able to appreciate the scenery as we rip along. At our age, the one has about as much appeal as the other. Peace and quiet and lying back are good inserts between bouts of hyperactivity and are pretty much requisite to survival in our "declining years."

We applaud the vitality and accomplishments of our DNA inheritors and the spouses who have joined the tribe. We encourage all to continue onward and upward and to keep us in the loop.