Since it is my birthday, I easily think of 9/11. Since 2001, however, my birthday becomes an insignificant blip because of the horrendous tragedy of planes zeroing in on national treasures, the people in major buildings. With time, it has not become easier to think about the tragedy. In fact, the last 15 years have been a series of horrendous events that circulate in the news that bewilder any attempts to rationalize their implications.
From a personal perspective, given my age, I am now accommodating to a personal future which will undoubtedly end before current world events "normalize", whatever the word references. Our current political maelstrom epitomizes the international dysfunction which seemingly only gets worse.
And so, celebrating my birthday becomes a relatively innocuous way to escape for a few moments and remember how I got here. Prior postings have detailed most of my history, but I am now basking in the innocence of grandchildren who are young enough to escape the world's turmoil and wish me "Happy Birthday" with the enthusiasm that is engendered by their own birthdays.
I worry about the world that they inherit. Would they live as long as I, they would be approaching the end of this century. I tremble thinking of that future, but am relieved that I will not personally have to grieve their plight, nor would I be aware of a major reversal of hatred and violence. I can surely hope for such a future.
