News
November 28, 2025
The weight of glory
I started writing this column 16 years ago in 2009 when I was a young man of 62. I reached my 70s without spending a night in the hospital. In the last six years, I have been hospitalized twice. Both...
**The Weight of Glory**
For over a decade and a half, this column has been a regular fixture, a voice sharing observations and reflections on life's journey. It began in 2009, penned by a vibrant 62-year-old, full of energy and perspective. It was a time of youthful vigor, a chapter brimming with health and vitality. The writer navigated his 60s and entered his 70s remarkably unscathed, a testament to a life lived well. He reached that significant milestone without ever needing the confines of a hospital bed overnight.
This remarkable streak, however, has since been interrupted. The relentless march of time, as it does for everyone, has begun to make its presence felt. In the last six years, a new chapter has unfolded, one marked by a shift in health and well-being. The author, now in his late 70s, has experienced the vulnerability that comes with aging, finding himself hospitalized not once, but twice.
While the exact reasons for these hospital stays remain unstated, their impact is undeniable. They represent a stark contrast to the previous decade-plus of robust health, highlighting the fragility of the human body and the inevitable challenges that come with growing older. These experiences undoubtedly carry weight, forcing reflection on mortality, health, and the preciousness of each day.
The "weight of glory," as the column's title suggests, might now refer to the burden of age, the challenges of declining health, and the awareness of life's finite nature. Or it could be suggesting that the experiences and memories accumulated through the years, both the good and the bad, now weigh heavily on the author. Readers can anticipate that future columns will likely explore these themes, offering insights into navigating the complexities of aging with grace and wisdom. The column promises to continue providing a thoughtful and relatable perspective on the ever-evolving human experience.
For over a decade and a half, this column has been a regular fixture, a voice sharing observations and reflections on life's journey. It began in 2009, penned by a vibrant 62-year-old, full of energy and perspective. It was a time of youthful vigor, a chapter brimming with health and vitality. The writer navigated his 60s and entered his 70s remarkably unscathed, a testament to a life lived well. He reached that significant milestone without ever needing the confines of a hospital bed overnight.
This remarkable streak, however, has since been interrupted. The relentless march of time, as it does for everyone, has begun to make its presence felt. In the last six years, a new chapter has unfolded, one marked by a shift in health and well-being. The author, now in his late 70s, has experienced the vulnerability that comes with aging, finding himself hospitalized not once, but twice.
While the exact reasons for these hospital stays remain unstated, their impact is undeniable. They represent a stark contrast to the previous decade-plus of robust health, highlighting the fragility of the human body and the inevitable challenges that come with growing older. These experiences undoubtedly carry weight, forcing reflection on mortality, health, and the preciousness of each day.
The "weight of glory," as the column's title suggests, might now refer to the burden of age, the challenges of declining health, and the awareness of life's finite nature. Or it could be suggesting that the experiences and memories accumulated through the years, both the good and the bad, now weigh heavily on the author. Readers can anticipate that future columns will likely explore these themes, offering insights into navigating the complexities of aging with grace and wisdom. The column promises to continue providing a thoughtful and relatable perspective on the ever-evolving human experience.
Category:
Politics