The Struggle to Remain Relevant

Ages and stages. The kids are so young and full of life, but on the other end of the spectrum are both sets of our parents, now in their 70's, now and then given to the strangeness of the old.

In a sense, all this reminds me of Dylan Thomas's famous poem. Here is a cool recording of the poet himself reading his poem. To those who are still on dial-up mode in this broadband world, just read this in a deep voice:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

It seems to me sometimes, that as one ages, he/she struggles to remain relevant. It's not easy to be aware that one's physicality is gradually deteriorating, and hence to wonder if one's life has been of import.

Thus the inexplicable rage we sometimes experience from our beloved 70-somethings.