Another Major Milestone Met

By the grace of God?  And yet, the very approach of it seems to have muzzled my voice for a month.  

Having passed it, the question is obvious -- from here, wither?  If the question were to be posed to the little ones in my personal tribe, the answer given by their parents -- my children -- might be the same one that they would drag out for a beloved hound, long past "long in the tooth," just as I am if my dental bills are to be trusted. "It's sad kids, but we won't be seeing Grandpa any more.  He has been sent to the farm, where he can take walks in the woods, smell the flowers, and watch the sun set behind the green hills.  We will miss him dearly, but he is happy in his new home."

That one doesn't work so well for me, on this end of the kaleidoscope.  I see myself pretty clearly at this juncture.  Bearing in mind my acute physical and moral cowardice, I am sure that I will rage against the dying of the light when it comes, even to the verge of madness, unless and until I am able to see that the letting go of this crummy carapace represents a liberation, not a snuffing out.  You may put a pillow over my head, in other words, but I get the last laugh when I am able to just let it go and sing the body electric.