Character Surmounting Age

Earlier this week I read an article that reviews two movies that prompted me to think about how everyday we all fight to survive. Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave is fighting to survive slavery, and the nameless yachtsman in All is Lost is fighting to survive in a cruel ocean.

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2013/10/21/131021crci_cinema_denby?currentPage=1

In the article, Denby states, Now seventy-seven, Redford is in great shape, (in the movie "All is Lost") and the cheekbones and the jaw, despite a wrinkled shell, have held up—a visual sign of character surmounting age. 

When I saw the phrase, "character surmounting age,"  I realized that's what we desire in our senior years.  Our character can surmount aging.  We want our character to be of such a high level that our age and wrinkles won't matter.  

My grandfather, James Terrell, born in Georgia.

While I want to see 12 Years a Slave, I have difficulty watching anything about slavery.  I am reading the book (a true story) and hope I can finish it.

My grandfather was born a slave, and his parents were slaves.  I feel their pain whenever the subject of slavery is discussed or shown.  I begin to sweat, thinking of them picking cotton.  I hurt and feel the beatings they suffered. My soul cries for the misery of their living conditions, yet their character surmounted their position in life.

Hello, Again

I miss my blog.  It's been several years (2010) since I wrote a post, and I miss my blogging friends, even though I connected with a few on Facebook. You added so much to my life, and helped me through a very trying time. Perhaps fear has kept me away.  The worst thing about being old (I'm 76) is that you lose so many friends and family members.  Sickness and death become constant companions.

Please allow me to return gently.