Survival Of

Important? Me?

No, I have never been in the classic sense.

However, I was loved and yes, cherished by two families. First, by amazing parents who cradled me with loving care, ignoring their own needs until I reached maturity.

The year I was 19, God gave me the blessing of an Anam Cara, whose life I shared for 57 years along with the Fabulous Four. Our children were all unexpected gifts.

Today as I read the grim but realistic prognosis about medical treatment not being extended to those over a certain age, I honestly must evaluate my personal lack of importance in this crisis.

Without any doubt, the young must be protected. They are the future of not only our country, but society. The world will depend on their ability to rebuild what the horrendous viral Pandemic destroys.

Still I must admit, as the words leapt out of the digital newspaper, I found them chilling. I am over 80; three of the Fabulous Four are over 60. The majority of my family would not be deemed worthy for survival.

I am not alone. I cannot begin to estimate the number of senior, elderly, or to be honest, old Americans whose families fall into the category I have just read about.

As I ponder the frightening possibility, humanity’s viewpoint on life before this health crisis comes to mind. Before the advent of the Covid 19 crisis, many Americans shared a distinctly different moral viewpoint.

Intense emotional outcries (a mere few months ago) were provoked not only by abortion but also, capital punishment as well as the debatable ethics of warfare.

The unborn weren’t viewed by a vast majority with the perspective of being essential. Perhaps an argument can be made that denying life is radically different, than providing the ability to survive. The belief that the fetus is neither important; vital, nor needed was not only highly endorsed but also, denied vehemently by opposing factions.

Today’s atmosphere about the morality of denying life then motivates me to also question the prevailing national viewpoint on capital punishment.

Prisoners deemed guilty fall into the category of no longer being an asset to society. That oft disputed judgment provides society the ability to legally terminate lives.

Finally the ultimate question that arises concerns the moral dilemma of a just war, if such does exist.

As the current almost biblical crisis continues, harsh decisions must soon be made to ensure life continues . That may be a time when survivors over 60 may radically change their views on other moral edicts.