How Old Would Be Too Old?

[jasonxx]

I thought I would bring this topic up regarding Alexander been dead by 32. I think this with reflection to old age. Over the last 2 weeks I have done some voluntary cooking in a local care home who seem to be struggling finding a cook.

To be totally honest it has been an eye opener and to be pretty honest scary. I see old people crawling and creeping about. Some ,oaning and mumbling some screaming etc for no apparent reason. Mostly they are less able than babies and the future looks bleak for them. I see these old people more or less been lead around. Infirmed some incapable of even feeding them selves. I also reflect and think maybe thesepeople were once fit hard as nails achievers brilliant mind etc. Then I see what old age goes to what were once active and full lives. Some now with little posesions and rooms laden with photos of grandchildren they are probably not aware of.

Then I think of Alexander in his prime and dying in his greatness. Maybe early death helped to imortalise Alexander which Im pretty sure it does for most legends. Could we ever picture Alexander as an old man with dementia unable to feed himself even. I guess not.

But one thing I am sure about old age eventually defeats the Greatest of men.

just a thought

Kenny

[Theseus]

I thought I would bring this topic up regarding Alexander been dead by 32. I think this with reflection to old age. Over the last 2 weeks I have done some voluntary cooking in a local care home who seem to be struggling finding a cook.

To be totally honest it has been an eye opener and to be pretty honest scary. I see old people crawling and creeping about. Some ,oaning and mumbling some screaming etc for no apparent reason. Mostly they are less able than babies and the future looks bleak for them. I see these old people more or less been lead around. Infirmed some incapable of even feeding them selves. I also reflect and think maybe thesepeople were once fit hard as nails achievers brilliant mind etc. Then I see what old age goes to what were once active and full lives. Some now with little posesions and rooms laden with photos of grandchildren they are probably not aware of.

Then I think of Alexander in his prime and dying in his greatness. Maybe early death helped to imortalise Alexander which Im pretty sure it does for most legends. Could we ever picture Alexander as an old man with dementia unable to feed himself even. I guess not.

But one thing I am sure about old age eventually defeats the Greatest of men.

just a thought

Kenny

First I have to say how great I think it is that you have been so giving of yourself to others. I think it really means a lot to those people. I have volunteered for the elderly in the past and it's so great to put a smile on their faces.

Now to address your topic! I agree that Alexander dying while young has helped to imortalize him. Look at Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Princess Dianna, President Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean ect..... It's always tragic when someone that has so much going for them has their lives cut short.
I wonder if Alexander would have liked growing old and not being able to do the things he did in his youth. I think it would have driven him insane. It would have been great if Alexander had lived a bit longer than he did though. Who knows what else he would have accomplished......