As with so many of my fellow citizens, I watched and listened to the Presidential Debate which CNN hosted. I believe, like most, my take-aways were tinted by my predispositions. Still, I heard what I heard. Both guys are old. Younger than me, but old. Let me put it this way, both men are at an age with which I am intimately familiar.
I listened and I thought, “I’ve passed this way.” Well, I knew I struggled to find a word, a thought. A little confused, maybe, for just a little bit.
Tinted. Yes. I can remember a more civil time in presidential politics. You don’t have to go back too far. I don’t recall poor behavior between devotees of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.
Two men that had a reason not to get along? Try Bush versus Gore. If there was ever an election ripe with argumentative potential it was Bush versus Gore. But the United States Supreme Court ruled and that was that. There was a determination that our democracy was more important than being president. Today? Just thinking about it breaks me out in hives.
There were things I understood. It is tough when you can’t recall that person’s name. Or, I just had a thought for this column and if I don’t scribble it down in my hand dandy little spiral notebook, I will forget it. Fact is, I’ll remember it. It just isn’t available for immediate recall. I don’t remember it like I would have. I’m impatient.
The title for this article hit me. “On my way to today.” All my life I’ve been walking the path that led to where I am today. I’ve gotten better at ambling along some paths. Each time I walk a familiar path, I get a touch better. Other trails I don’t want to walk again. At this point, I always think about Edison’s observation on developing the light bulb. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” I identify with this quote. A basic fear of failure can keep us from even attempting to walk many potentially productive paths.
So, old people wisdom. We have long professed to value the wisdom of elders. Right up until we don’t.
As a side note, I am very pleased to see, over recent months, the enthusiasm for discussion on the “wisdom of older women.” I have long contended that this is a massive source of untapped knowledge.
I think I’ll go to the back porch and have a beverage. I don’t remember just why, but it will come to me.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” -Abraham Lincoln
