As we advance through life, we lose parents, family members and friends to illness, accident or the natural effects of aging. The death of celebrities (musicians, actors, broadcasters, etc.) also mark our place in history and reinforce the certainty of our own mortality.
At first, these deaths are accepted as isolated events, some expected and others shocking. But there comes a point at which the collective loss forces us to accept the fact that our generation has been relegated to history. Those of us who still survive have little to offer but our advice and our perspective.
Staying in touch with life-long friends helps to ease the loss of our youth. Remaining active and taking on new pursuits are also helpful. But, to paraphrase the words of John F. Kennedy, whose life was cut so short, we have passed the torch to younger generations and it is best that we bow out with grace.
