My life has spanned almost seven decades. I’ll soon be entering my eight. I’ve seen the comedy routines of Vaudeville – the situation comedies that required an active imagination through the radio – early TV and movies containing slapstick and the like – along with some of the SNL shows that created a whole school of comedians. I’ve laughed at things that may not be that hysterical, but they tickled my funny bone at the time. I realize that we’re living in a changing world and that we have become over sensitive about being sure not to offend someone, but at the same time there seems to be a decline in the moral fiber of our people. Anything goes when it comes to how we choose to live – love – self indulge – care less about our fellow man and simply being kind to each other. To that, the younger generation would possibly say I’ve grown old and intolerant.

I have grown old, thanks to modern health care, science and acquired knowledge about exercise and diet. I’ve grown old because God still has a purpose for me to be alive. I’ve grown old accepting those truths. As the people I’ve befriended over the years age and seem to be reaching their heavenly goal faster than me, I haven’t quite figured out why some pass away while others linger on. Like most things in life, this is something that I will never understand until I actually reach heaven.

One of my many mantras over this time of living has been a quote from Monty Python’s, “In Search of the Holy Grail.” Through English humor and satire, we were given many funny memorable quotes. One stood out for me. Picture this, the Black Plague has destroyed most of the population of Europe. Streets are lined with dead bodies. Someone had to be responsible for disposing of those bodies, so the death cart would go around and pick them up. The call to “Bring out your dead,” was answered by, ‘I’m not dead yet. Actually, I’m feeling much better.” Being dead to most of us is not a good thing. We want to live forever – even the youngest of us. The actual thought of death is pretty scary for most folks, but the thought of leaving our loved ones behind is even scarier.

With a world that needs wisdom and guidance, there are people who are living longer. I think this is God’s plan to help us guide the future generations in a sure and steady path – to give them advice and lessons we’ve learned through the years – to share things like respect, honor, patriotism, love for one another and basic truths which were established from the beginning of time. It may seem that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, but there are still those who hold to the truths of a divine plan for each of us. I will try to adjust my writing, my thinking, my conservative philosophies, to an ever-changing world. I will also hold on to the things I believe in and share those thoughts with the up-and-coming adults – even if they don’t want to hear it.

I’m not dead yet. I don’t know when I will be, but I am confident that this world isn’t the end. That makes me feel a lot better!