My grandmother’s birthday falls today.
She would be 116 years old
a good long span of time for anyone.
As it was she died at 86, prompting
my own mother’s vow to surpass
her in age. And that she did
by nearly a decade, prompting my
vow to go at 82, which leaves
(at this writing) twenty one years
to live fully and well, twenty one
years to figure out the basics of
happiness
forgiveness
compassion
fulfillment.
A tall order I realize but then maybe
I’ll be ready next go round
to tackle higher aims.