Haven't read the obits yet. People in East Tennessee live to be old, it seems. All those who die get their two inches of print in the paper. Like most older people, I read them every day. At this moment three of my dear friends are in jeopardy. Two are older than I. The third is a few years younger and is more tragic. He was a heavy smoker and has lung problems. Only one person of the three is in my city, and her mind is slow because of a heart condition. I feel helpless to be with them in ways I would like to. Why? Because I have my own limitations. At the keyboard I can keep up. Doing physical things requires more effort.
I have this theory that the reason those a generation younger than we are so reluctant to talk sincerely with us is because they see where they are heading and are concerned about it. I think more people should be enrolled in a gerontology class. But what's gerontology? It's supposed to be a study of the elderly and it ends up being statistics and social work and little sad jokes. As a member of the older generation, I find myself telling younger friends to "try it, you might like it." Again, TUDE, as the younger generation calls it, is what lets us hold on.