The sheer volume of news about the war has overwhelmed me lately, I admit, to the extent it has been a struggle to maintain a perspective on the bigger things in life, which ought to be the main goal of my musings.
But with a moment to catch my breath, I’m thinking about inter-generational communication — those important but infrequent conversations between the young and the old.
I’m fortunate to spend most of my time with people decades younger than I am, though there also are enough elders in my life to keep me honest. And let’s be honest, there’s at least one overriding reality about aging that sucks big-time, and that is the general decline in our health and energy.
Our bodies simply did not evolve in conditions that permitted an extended lifespan. The typical elder only lived to about age 40 until recent times, when the average life expectancy climbed to 70-something.
So most of us who have reached the latter range have at least a few aches and pains from having basically outlived what our bodies were prepared for.
But I believe it is a very bad idea to talk about your health problems with younger people. Few of us can resist this impulse but they really don’t want to hear about it. I certainly didn’t when I was their age.
Listening to an older person complain about being less fit than earlier in life feels not only redundant to young people but an uncomfortable reminder of what awaits them as they age.
No it’s best to just suck it up and keep the health discussions for when you are among your peers. Because the young need to stay focused on life, not death.
When it comes to topics, jobs, sports, love, money, travel, books, music, movies, food, even politics are fine.
Just not health.
TODAY’s NEWS (56):
NATO nations can send jets to Ukraine; ban on imports of Russian oil being discussed (USA Today)
Civilian toll mounts in Ukraine; world leaders raise question of possible war crimes (WP)
Russia Intensifies Attacks, Killing Ukrainian Civilians (WSJ)
Russian forces attack airfields as Zelensky pleads for fighter jets (WP)
White House weighs 3-way deal to get fighter jets to Ukraine (Politico)
Protests across Russia see thousands detained (BBC)
Ukraine officials report attack on airport, humanitarian corridor fails again (Fox)
Russia has attacked schools and hospitals, says deputy PM (BBC)
Russian Prisoners and Ukrainian Soldiers Describe Two Sides of the Conflict (NYT)
Ukraine’s military adapts tactics after enduring Russia’s initial invasion (WP)
Zelensky urges Ukrainians to go on the offensive (BBC)
Fears grow for Ukrainian civilians after checkpoint is shelled and evacuations fail for a second day (CNN)
The West fights back against Putin the disruptor (BBC)
Zelenskyy: Russian attack destroys airport (NHK)
Stop fighting, Putin tells Ukraine, as anti-war protests grow (Reuters)
Putin’s full-scale information war got a key assist from Donald Trump and right-wing media (WP)
Biden Caught Between Inflation and Calls to Ban Russian Oil (WSJ)
How the West Marshaled a Stunning Show of Unity Against Russia (NYT)
Ukraine’s venerable Odessa readies for Russia’s brutal push up the Black Sea coast (WP)
A Trump-appointed former senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense says Russian forces have been 'too gentle' on Ukraine and called Zelensky a 'puppet' (Business Insider)
News outlets scramble to set up technical workarounds in response to Russian censorship (WP)
WHO warns of dire healthcare situation in Ukraine (NHK)
Russia’s Military Chief Promised Quick Victory, but Now Faces Potential Quagmire (WSJ)
Ukraine can absolutely win against Russia - Blinken (BBC)
‘I Just Can’t Stand By’: American Veterans Join the Fight in Ukraine (NYT)
Could Russia's invasion of Ukraine trigger a global food crisis? (Al Jazeera)
Russian war in world’s ‘breadbasket’ threatens food supply (AP)
Protests against Russian invasion of Ukraine fill streets around the globe (WP)
U.S. and Allies Discuss Security of Ukraine’s Leaders Amid Fears for Zelensky’s Safety (NYT)
Japan plans to consider banning overflight of Russian planes (NHK)
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine signals a new era of energy geopolitics (Edit Bd/WP)
Mastercard, Visa suspend operations in Russia after invasion (AP)
Belarus has effectively ceded control to Kremlin, says opposition leader (Guardian)
A new Europe is emerging from the tragedy of Ukraine (Financial Times)
There Are Many Things Worse Than American Power — Blaming U.S. hegemony for global problems has been easy, but Putin’s invasion of Ukraine offers a preview of a much more dangerous world. (Atlantic)
Ukrainians are giving two lessons in democracy that Americans have forgotten (CNN)
Ukraine says China is ready to act as a peacemaker (Financial Times)
President Zelensky invites Elon Musk to visit (BBC)
Russian chef joins forces with Ukrainian best friend to serve food across frontiers (Guardian)
US officials hold Venezuela meetings amid hunt for alternative oil supplies (Financial Times)
'Saturday Night Live' targets Fox News hosts on Ukraine invasion (The Hill)
The lessons learned from 1918 flu fatigue, according to historians (National Geographic)
Death toll nears 6 million as pandemic enters its 3rd year (AP)
Iranian nuclear talks clouded by Russian demands (Reuters)
How the Manhattan D.A.’s Investigation Into Donald Trump Unraveled (NYT)
Experts: Alleged plot against governor signals ominous shift (AP)
The Cash Some Afghans Need Is Trapped in Their Bank Accounts (WSJ)
A Potentially Dangerous Asteroid Gave Astronomers a Scare – Now Found To Be Harmless (SciTechDaily)
Build a New City or New Humans? A Utopia in India Fights Over Future. (NYT)
Investors See Bullish Signals Under Stock Market’s Surface (WSJ)
Chicago Field Museum Director Uses Titanosaur Skull To Hold Parking Space In Snow (The Onion)
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