Life goes on

I was wondering what profound thing I could write about today.  Like, “what is the meaning of life?” or “Why is there air?’” (to blow up volley balls).
But I started thinking about our crow.  I say our crow, but he is not really ours.  He visits us on a daily basis.  He likes to wander our yard.  We feed him regularly.  I want Merril at some stage to get a picture of me and him sitting together.  He perches on the chair next to me in the yard, and we both stare meaningfully into the middle distance.
The thing is though, like me he is getting old.  Once upon a time he was king pin.  Now he seems to feel more secure in the yard when we are there.  He looks heavenward.  I think that is because that is where he has been attacked from.  Not by one crow.  But by two.  Twice we have rescued him from an aerial assault.
It seems to me it is a fact of life that living produces age.  It is often said that in the head someone may not feel older, but for the body it is different.  Sometimes aches and pains come on for no apparent reason.  It used to be rock and roll was a form of music but now it is me getting up of a morning.
But I will always go into bat for older people.  So often they can seem to be discarded while still having so much to give.  I find that older age can come in two forms.  I have seen both. 
The first is closed and it is like there is nothing more to learn and their way is the only way.  That to me is hard for someone and others.  No one jumps at the chance of doing things totally another’s way.  It is fighting a loosing and ultimately lonely battle.
The other way is remaining open.  Realizing the more I know, the more I know I don’t know.  But that is not a threat.  I have something to give, and I have something to learn. 
Others of like mind and like outlook are attracted.  It seems to me there is a freedom in not pretending or thinking I know it all.  Wonder and growth remain.
Maybe not for crows.  But young or old we love him.