The Marathon of Life

October 2021

Today I ponder the journey of life.  We wait a long time to get old. Spending most of that time denying the eventuality. For what seems like forever, it creeps up on us. Then one day, we are overtaken. Seemingly stretched to the limit. A shadow of our former selves. Often a larger shadow than we wish! With a life mostly behind us.

Yet, we certainly owe it to ourselves to enjoy the balance of it. You can’t go back and try it again or seek a refund. You just keep plowing forward. Slowly. Ever more slowly.  With fear and doubt as daily companions. Cynicism and intolerance a constant battle.  Each day with new pains and worries. New bias’. We become burdened beasts in a regimented routine.

We would love to drop off some of the baggage. The accumulated wear and tear. But alas, that is impossible.  The tears and fears, heartache and pain all stay with us. Even intensify. Careworn, our appreciation for little things slips away. Our curiosity wanes. Our world shrinks.

As ready as we wish we were for the rest of the journey, we are often not. The balance of our days is often in preparation for the destination, not always to enjoy the journey. The appreciation for the good things in life fades. The promises we made to ourselves to stay young at heart are lost.  This creates a shrinking future with little contentment, no matter how long it may last.  Instead of living life, we are merely getting ready for its conclusion.

The road grows bumpy, the horizon fades, the skies grow grey…as twilight sets in. Working to erase the regrets for the life we have led, or forgive ourselves for the life we didn’t lead.  Remembering our misdeeds. Our shortcomings. In doing so, we forget our many wins, successes, good deeds and jobs well done. The people we have aided, lives we have positively impacted.

We wait for the end. Hastening the conclusion of a life well lived. Forgetting the best, remembering the worst.  Failing to account for our positive impact on the world.  Acting defeated. Even while the game is still on. The trumpets of timelessness calling us home, to the chanting of angels and demons. And in the sorrow of defeat our destiny seemingly has unfolded.

Yet, we must recognize life is not a game, it’s a race. Indeed, it’s a marathon.  The whole objective is just to keep going. Falling back on faith, we must take each day and live, overcoming fear and continuing to try to make a difference.  Staying in the race, for finish it we shall. Overcoming the trail behind us, in order to make us eager to see what lies ahead.

The fire of youth may be gone. But the embers of that spent flame can continue to warm our souls and brighten the lives of those who age with us. We are not defeated. We are invincible! We do not need to sprint to the end of the race but enjoy the cheers as we approach life’s final turn.  Humbly tipping our cap for our accomplishments while inspiring others with our vigor, as we attack the home stretch of the marathon of life.