So, the morning messages included an insightful essay from an old shipmate that analyzed the decision that Great Caesar made about crossing the Rubicon River, heading south and ending the Republic of Rome. It had lasted a half a thousand years, so it was a significant one.
He decided to trade the Republic for an Empire, the like of which had never been seen, and the aftermath, when it eventually came, left the northern hemisphere in darkness that lasted a half millennium. And then the rise of the West, which apparently lasted until today or tomorrow.
This birthday past for me was not one of the linear succession of dates- you may remember them, if you are of an age. “21” was a big deal- drinks on me!
The 40th- God, I am really this freaking old! Gray hair! Yike!
The Fiftieth- “God, this is getting serious! Get me a drink!”
The Sixtieth- “Oh, Shit!”
Sixty-six is different, since it comes with an actual entitlement- full Social Security with no penalty for taking it. I presume that means life for me, as we know it, is over.
“Don’t worry about it this morning,” I thought as I tried to untangle a numb shoulder from the bedclothes. I reached for the tablet reader and opened the email account to see my retired pals talking about the Rubicon and Gibbon’s “Decline and Fall.”
That encyclopedic edition was among the last hard-copy bound volumes I purchased before realizing that my own decline (and eventual) fall were actually happening, before my very eyes.
I only open the last volume in the series to read the account of the Fall of Constantinople to the Turks. There is too much other stuff to worry about- a full thousand years- with the mid-point being the before-and-after of the Rubicon.
The part that gets me, always, is when Gibbon tells us of the Emperor’s children being led away from the Cathedral of Saint Sophia (about to become the grand mosque) in chains. It is sort of the definition of Hubris and The Fall all in one chapter, and not dissimilar to our world today.
The weekend was OK, though. The usual suspects were at the pool, staged by hour, along with several kids who have grown before our eyes, and one of whom we taught to swim. There were some toddlers who will, and women who have enough confidence to embrace motherhood in such a wonderful act of affirmation that it made me want to weep.
So, a great and epic weekend with calls to the young men who I helped into this world. There is nothing quite like that, along with watching those thirty-something couples who are watching their young around the pool.
I suppose we will see how this all turns out, since it will regardless. But to have a Monday morning so filled with joy and trepidation is quite remarkable. This life is precious, you know? Before the Fall, anyway.
Vic
Copyright 2017 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com