Arrivals and Departures

Every so often I think about the human condition. A mother delivers a baby. That baby arrives to much fanfare in many cases amidst those that surround it. Such is our lot.

To what end? No one knows. This new baby might solve the energy crisis or go shoot an entire stadium full of people. No one knows. Yet there is glimmer of hope. Aspiration on behalf of.

Such is our condition.

Then that baby grows and eventually dies. I think of these things as I see people I know send me birthday wishes. Happy birthday! May you enjoy this day some spell out. Ironically one of my parent died the same day as my birthday, couple years back. So now what?

Clearly most of it is muscle memory for those that are trained to follow social norms. But what of it I ask / ponder?

Should one exercise enjoyment of being born or finding out that you get to spend time on this planet and consume? Is there happiness for others that know of my existence and somehow feel good about it?

Seems bit odd to me is all. I have clearly not done anything to remove hunger in Africa or Asia or come up with a new vaccine.

I have mostly contributed to some bureaucratic mumbo jumbo called the corporation in some form or another. What exact benefit the society got out of it remains a mystery to me, and is so for 99% of us. We choose to believe that we are hot shit. Far from it.

There are the 1% exceptions. Lata Mangeshkar, an Indian vocalist of repute died today. She left a footprint in the sands of time and gave millions of Indians and beyond a remarkable legacy of music to enjoy forever. Some choose to think the British Queen is one such on the threshold of departure. To me she might have overseen a monarchy for decades but the benefit is questionable.

I will say that we as parents contributed to an arrival some years back who we nurtured and believe will do much to move the needle for social well being. That might be the silver lining.

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