The Last Ten Years.....

Where I live there is an ad on TV referencing to the last ten years of life. Its purpose I believe, is to encourage people to stay in shape so that they can enjoy life rather than spending their final years in a hospital bed. Although the intention is good, it is directed to young people, not to octogenarians like me. I find it a very harsh reminder that most of the sand in my life timer is piling up in the bottom of the glass tube! I don't need a TV commercial reminding me of that every day!

I am sure many of the adults and children in Moore, OK were not thinking much about the last ten years in their lives when this past weekend part of their town was literally destroyed by a vicious tornado. Imagine those children hunkered down in the Plaza Towers Elementary School that, in the end, did not provide a safe haven for all. The truth is none of us really know when to start counting the last ten years of our life. And perhaps that is a good thing.

On our vacation we spent some time on a cruise ship crossing the Atlantic ocean. I am sure many of the passengers on that trip were enjoying moments in the last ten years of their life - without  knowing it! But what struck me was that most of the elderly men around the swimming pool and hot tubs were packing a lot of extra baggage. Now I understand that gravity might play a significant role in the battle of the bulge. But observing all those large protruding stomachs and sagging breasts made me resolve to work even harder to stay in better shape and not provide the forces of gravity so much surface to play with!

My next shock was that the passenger list did not reflect the population mix that has become so common today in many large cities. I would guess that over ninety percent of the passengers were Caucasian or white men and women.  On the other hand the same percentage of the crew - especially those in the hospitality sector, were multi-cultural. I found myself thinking I was living in some sort of hierarchal society and was left with a sense of privilege I really did not deserve...or want!

Ships Tender Transferring Embra Crew

One night, our ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam received a call from the U. S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Norfolk, Va., to assist a small sail boat, the Embla which had been disabled. Our captain diverted the ship and initiated the rescue of the two crew members, and then left the sailboat adrift in the dark. This event was of great interest to the passengers. The following day the Captain invited us to meet in the theatre where he would answer our questions. The theatre was full! At one point the comments became negative and questioned the sanity of those sailors who would attempt such a crossing in a small boat. Having sailed in a small boat across the Atlantic, I said nothing. However, my wife picked up the microphone and said that some people do it because it was a life-time-dream and that she admired their courage and determination. Not another negative word was heard! Yes, some people are courageous and loved.

On the other side of the pond we spent some time in Spain visiting Cadiz and Seville, Malaga and Granada, Cartagena and finally Barcelona. We travelled on bus tours to most of these historical places. My thought, and I have experienced it so often in the past: why are people so proud of their wars and powerful rulers? There are so many other wonderful things - such as art, music, wine, the architecture or the countryside itself. But the violence of the past does serve to remind us of  man's inhumanity to man. That side of our history does not speak well of our species!

I have often said that travel is one of the best forms of education...if you pay attention! We had a great vacation, learned a great deal and have many wonderful memories. In the end, this experience abroad, like so many before, helped us appreciate just how fortunate we are to live where we live.

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week.