Revisiting Abbott and Costello's "Who's On 1st" as the great metaphor on life and its stages, I've been looking at third base here. As the routine goes, 'I don't know's on 3rd.' My view on this one is starting to take shape as a run back to the base after you've rounded it and decided you're not ready to head for home. It's no longer about who you were when you were in the first part of your adult life, when you chose a career, perhaps a spouse and, yes, maybe even children. You're way past first and even past second; where you retired and made the choices about what to do, where you'd live, whether you'd have a bucket list and what would be on it. You might have even started hitting some of those targets on that bucket list.
Who's on third? "I don't know," but I'm starting to think 3rd base might just be the one where you (the who) decide what you'll become as you head for home. Think about that, will you be the crabby old one, or the loony tunes one, the forgetful and always stymied one or even the silent staring one? I think we are still in charge when we head for, and decide to stop at 3rd--if fate allows, of course. Think about that last little bit--if fate allows. We're pretty fortunate to still be around, ya know? We could have left the playing field in a tragic accident--like a car crash or a train wreck. We could have left this playing field because we had a heart attack, stroke or contracted some disease in some faraway place. or some other sudden medical issue. Instead, we have this chance to head for, and maybe even hang around 3rd--for who knows how long.
I'm starting to think this "I don't know's on 3rd" business is about who we decide to become. Will we be kind, creative, contemplative, social and friendly? Will we still be exploring new avenues? Whoa, that's something to think about. It might depend on our mental vigor and health. Should we attend to sharpening up this brain?
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