Saturday, July 17, 2010

Speaking Philosophically



“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” (—Quoth Shakespeare’s Juliet)

While, it may not be as poetic a phrase, the question today is: “What’s in a number?”

The Knight has been alternately bemused and incredulous at his New Number: 68.

Twice 34?

Wasn’t that just yesterday?

Thirty-four. The age of endless possibilities.

Sixty-eight. Two-thirds of the way (and a smidge) to the “age of a tree.”

Robert Browning cheerily contemplated aging with these famous words:

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made….

. . . All that is, at all,
Lasts ever, past recall;
Earth changes, but thy soul and God stand sure:
What entered into thee,
That was, is, and shall be:
Time's wheel runs back or stops: Potter and clay endure.

Look not thou down but up!
To uses of a cup….
But I need, now as then,
Thee, God, who mouldest men….
So, take, and use thy work:
Amend what flaws may lurk,
What strain o’ the stuff, what warpings past the aim!
My times be in thy hand!
Perfect the cup as planned!

So, I repeat: what’s in a number?

For a man of faith, his age, at any given time, is merely a bench mark.


A bench mark is a surveyor’s mark made on a permanent landmark of known position and altitude. It is used as a reference point in determining other altitudes.
What's your altitude?
.

4 comments:

Katscratchme said...

As one who has not yet reached even 34... The thought of 68 is rather incomprehensible.

Anonymous said...

At first I thought it read, "a permanent landmark of known position and ATTITUDE." Still fitting...

I think I am happy most of the time, because I know that this isn't "it," ya know? This is just a stopping place to do some important work, adn then it's time to move on.

Trillium said...

My dad was only 69 when he "moved on." And you're right-- attitude or altitude--same thing.

Rebecca's Oasis said...

Victor was surprised to learn dad's age... "He is 68? He doesn't look that old..."

I replied: "The blessing of living a righteous life is that you don't age like others do."