Reflections from the Slippery Slope

Choosing to Narrow...

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. Twenty Seven Years. Certainly he did not choose to Narrow but he survived it, somehow emerging a deeply compassionate human being. He stepped from his cell at Robben Island into the presidency of South Africa, one of the most amazing stories of modern times.

In terms of Slippery Slope jargon, Narrowing is the unavoidable change from a former life of freedom brought about by physical or mental failing: The change to decreasing mobility… to chronic pain…to being unable to remember…to needing care from relatives…to assisted living…to a nursing home…to lying in bed…to calling for hospice…to the final exhale. Wider Narrow to freakin’ Narrow narrow.

Unlike Mandela, we are Choosing to Narrow before the true shit hits the fan. Our one bedroom apartment in the Continuing Care Community, could be likened to Mandela’s prison cell, a college dorm, or a tiny house trailer park. However it is upscale. It is quite suited to the Narrowing definition because a chef cooks, no yard work, no home repair, no driving a car, but mall and doc shuttles if wanted. In lieu of the chores of home ownership, we can play cards and bocci. We will be Narrowing in style —— due to our economic privilege, the benefits of which rattle my moral compass. (What about those old folks on Social Security living on cat food in a four flight walk up in Brooklyn?)

We have surrendered our autonomy for security, our freedom for perpetual care. It is a smart and necessary choice. There will be no burdening of the few relatives we have.

From a lifetime of total self responsibility, we will now be dependent on a corporation for housing and care, paying our way as always, of course. It might be a lot of fun to live in this rollicking senior spa. Maybe. There might be an opportunity to start “good trouble” and get out of my own self absorbed skin.

This I know. Nelson Mandela used his 27 Narrowing years to fine tune his immense inner strength. The only option left, when Narrowing becomes a way of life, is to go deep inside, to engage with soul. Like Mandela, I want to live in peace, get to know my captors, and accept the cards I have been dealt. To be present to each passing moment. To be as alive to the Narrowing as I was to my life of glorious freedom and adventure. Indeed. The true choice behind the choice. Attitude.