Camellias

When we built our home, we planted camellias. One was planted in front of our kitchen window. The other was planted in front of the fence running between our home and the barn next to it.

Camellias bloom in cold weather. I took the photos above on November 22. Both plantings are in full bloom and have been for the last several weeks.

We experienced our first freeze of the season in the beginning of November. The camellias survived and thrived. When winter fully sets in and we experience prolonged below freezing temperatures, the camellias will succumb.

I'll be 80 in a few more weeks. I have no idea how long I'll live - it could be decades - it could be minutes. I'm clearly in the winter of my life.

Like the camellias, I'm still in bloom. My health is good but I'm no longer a young man. I clearly have peaked. Staying in the metaphor, eventually a deep, prolonged frost will do me in. Either that, or some unexpected event at any time.

Until that time, I persevere. I remain useful. Kathy, Zoey and Zach appreciate me. Some people I interact with appreciate me as well.

My grand adventures are behind me. I'm not always sure what to make of them, but when I share them, other people often find meaning in them.

You can bloom at any age. If you live long enough you can continue to bloom in your old age.

In 1973, Yogi Berra commented, "It ain't over till it's over." as the baseball season was drawing to a close. His team went on to win the National League pennant race.

Although the Mets fell to the Oakland Athletics in the 1973 World Series, they got to play the entire season. They weren't spectators at any time during that season; they were players, even contenders.

Yogi is my favorite sports person. At the moment, I can't think of anyone else in that regard.

So here I am, contemplating camellias and mortality, and Yogi Berra pops into my consciousness.

It's up to you whether you derive meaning from your life. You need to come up with your own standards and expectations.

It's also up to you to derive meaning from what you learn of other people's experiences. There's meaning in everyone's life.

Take time to smell the roses. Take time to appreciate what's right there in front of you. Be open to sharing.