Where Does It Go?

What do you think happens to knowledge when we die? What happens to the memories we worked a lifetime to make, the epiphanies that surprised us, the sudden realizations that came from adversities we survived? Most of the time I just careen through life, no real plan, just assuming I'll live through the day. So far, so good. But occasionally I stop and think of my Grandmother, who passed away at 87 yrs old after teaching English for 39 years. In her lifetime, she saw so much. From horses and wagons to moon landings, one room schoolhouses to mega-schools, (whoopins at school=whoopins at home to everything being the teacher's fault), and I am amazed at her ability to adapt so well to so much change. I'm mad if I have to park in an inconvenient spot at the grocery store. Her generation embraced knowledge and change, as does my children's generation. I find myself wondering why? Where does it go? So what if I figure out my blu-ray player or swype texting? Sure the more I know about my job, the more valuable I am (you would think), but when we die, then what? I'm glad I have been able to see the world, both above and below the surface, but I don't want to waste another minute of what's left of my life wasting brain space on inconsequentials. I wish I could will the things I've learned about people and life to my kids, instead of money. But I guess I had that chance when they were growing up. You know, when I didn't know anything yet.