Am I Past My Best?

Yesterday morning I visited Frank, a gentleman in his late seventies. I’ve known Frank for many years. For most of his working life he was active, physically fit and clear thinking.

Now he has many aches and pains, he has medication for his depression, he’s constantly frustrated by his failing memory. I sensed that Frank felt he was past his best.

At lunch-time I read about Hitler’s treatment of Christians, Jews and any who did not fit in with his ideals:

‘To mute those who were speaking out against the regime, the Nazis followed a progression that is often still used today in political debate: caricature → marginalize → vilify → criminalize → eliminate.’

Hitler defined his best, and eliminated the rest.

In the afternoon I dissembled our old shed. We bought it second hand thirty-five years ago. It has rotting timbers down one side, there’s woodworm in one corner; mice chewed a hole in the floor; squirrels chewed the top of the door.

It’s worse than I thought; definitely past it’s best.

In the evening, we saw ‘Bonnie and Clyde’. I’d seen the 1967 Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway film; the stage musical is excellent!

Living during the Great Depression times were tough. Bonny Parker and Clyde Barrow were young people determined to live life to the full. Following a legendary life of robberies and murders, Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and shot, aged just 23 and 25 respectively…

They’d never be past their best.

Musing… Am I past my best?

Frank… I accept that I’m aging; I’m not the man I was…

Hitler… My definition of ‘best’ may be accepted, but it’s not necessarily right, particularly if I’m eliminating all others…

My shed… Irreversible rot may be a reality! Radical action may be necessary.

Bonnie and Clyde… Seeking the best can be destructive… what is ‘past my best’?

Am I past my best? I can be the best version of the man I am today; I can’t be past that best!