Faded Genes

Today is my grandson's third birthday, and I am trekking north (about two hours) for his birthday party.

How strange it is to come to grips with the fact that my [oldest] child has children. Is this how a dynasty grows? Or is it just that infamous 'circle of life'?

My genes--or some of them--are in my grandchildren. In that respect, a part of me (diluted, no doubt, in each generation to follow) will live forever. I like that thought; it gives me some comfort to know that I will have, however indirectly, had--or will have--some impact on the human race for all time. Of course, my genes were handed down to me from generations past, so I am a part of them, also--and they are a part of me.

Kind of daunting when you think about it. My genes--the stuff that makes my physical being--were once part of someone who lived and died hundreds--thousands--perhaps, even millions of years ago.

And this means that if we go far enough back, my genes were once part of a common ancestor to all of us.

So, looked at that way, and in view of today's world: what's all the fighting about? We fight one another, when in reality those we are fighting are a part of us--no matter how small.

Given this big picture, it all seems rather silly, doesn't it?

And so it goes...