Aging Is Just; Microsoft Is Not Just

Joseph Campbell, in an interview a few years before his death, was asked what he had learned from his lifetime study of the legends and mythology. His response was that, as he grew older and lost abilities of his body and mind, he was informed by the great myths not to mourn or try to hold on to those abilities. Rather, he accepted the loss as part of the process of life, just as death is part of the process.

As I approach my 61st birthday, I accept that I have no real control on the aging process. I write this knowing that there are people of my own generation who desire to live for ever and actively fight growing old. I also know that they will not win their battle against aging and, eventually, death. That's the reality of life! And it is just.

Today I lost access to Microsoft Office, including Word, which I have used to write this blog from its outset. That loss has nothing to do with aging; it has to do with growing poorer.


I first purchased Office three computers ago, when I bought my first notebook computer to replace the desktop that my #1 son, Nick III, had built for me from a kit. When that first notebook was destroyed by the woman (I have called her "Candy" in this blog) who poured Mr. Clean over it, I purchased Office a second time with my second Notebook, which was destroyed when Alex knocked a bottle of Dr. Pepper on it three months ago. I am now financially unable to purchase Office a third time.

I don't believe this is just! How many times must one purchase the same program--each time one purchases a new computer?

Please excuse any typos and misspellings. I have composed this on Wordpad.

ADDENDUM

I discovered this afternoon that I no longer have email. I can receive it on MS Outlook but cannot send it. I also have Outlook Express but can't get it set up to work. I am beginning to truly dislike Microsoft!