Watching the trailer for the new Indiana Jones movie due in theaters June 30^th, I thought that this is surely Harrison Ford’s “Last Hurrah.”  I am amazed that he is still playing the notable adventurer and explorer.  The part of Indiana Jones requires great energy and gusto.  Something that at the age of 38 when he first played the role might not have been quite as surprising.  However, Harrison is now 80 years old and playing this role rather than the father or grandfather of “Indiana Jones the Third” is beyond amazing.  I give him great credit for not quitting life even if this Indiana Jones thing is just another Hollywood fantasy.  But this brings us to the real purpose of my blog.  To explore the question “When and how do we all get our ‘Last Hurrah’?”  I would like to start with my “Last Hurrah.”

First, I had not thought of it until watching this trailer.  But I want one.  I do not want to go gently into the night.  But neither do I want to be hanging over a cliff with my life supported by a thin rope and my mortal enemies trying to untie the rope.  Something in between would make a rather nice “Last Hurrah”, I think.  But what is it to be?

Bebe Rexha – Last Hurrah [Official Music Video]

As I have aged, I notice an increasing propensity on my part to play it safe.  Karen and I have visited over 35 countries.  For the first 32 or so countries we never took out any additional health or accident insurance.  I was forty years old when Karen and I took our first overseas trip.  I am now seventy-six and for the last two trips we took out policies before we left for both accident and health insurance.  For our upcoming trip in September to South Africa we again took out policies.  These policies have grown increasingly more costly.  I question buying them each time but finally concede that they make sense.  Nevertheless, I wonder why I do.

I drive more slowly now.  I always fasten my seat belt before my car is in gear.  I wear a neon vest and a bright dayglo helmet when riding my bike.  In January, I decided to give up running mountain trails and stick to the paved and lowland trails.  I take a right on double laned streets then go down to the next block and make a right turn and then two lefts to return home rather than try to cross four lanes of traffic.  I do the same for any four-lane street now rather than try to ram into the traffic.  Why when I have less of life left to live am I growing so cautious?  At my age and with less time to go before the final act, I should be beyond caring and more reckless.  I have less to lose in terms of time than when I was 40.  I should be more daring and adventurous.  Going madly and wildly into that dark night that Dylan Thomas says awaits us.

Do not go gentle into that good night by Dylan Thomas – 1914-1953

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Looking up Dylan Thomas’s biography I found that he died at the age of 39 of disputed causes.  Whatever the cause was, he lived a life that many might envy.  Wine, women, and song as the verse goes.  I have noticed that wild times are seldom part of my life anymore.  So, what will my “Last Hurrah” be?  What will I rage on before I go into that dark night?  Am I a wise man or a good man?  Am I old?  I only feel like I am forty or so until I look at how long it now takes me to run a mile.  From six-minute miles a few long years ago to my current 12-minute miles, I think my watch just needs some good batteries.  This is a real dilemma.  How can I find my “Last Hurrah?”  What are some possibilities that would make you say after I leave this planet:

“His life was gentle; and the elements

So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up

And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!”

— Shakespeare – Julius Caesar

I am looking for some “Last Hurrah” that would be striking and unique but not painful or overly dangerous.  Dying in bed has its virtues but sounds boring.  I want some final attraction but that is not all.  My “Last Hurrah” should be something that reflects my values and defines who I am.  Looking for some inspiration, I found the following quotes on “Last Hurrahs.”

“Hurrah Boys!  Let’s get these last few reds then head on back to camp. Hurrah! —  George Armstrong Custer

“Every society needs a cry like that, but only in a very few do they come out with the complete, unvarnished version, which is ‘Remember-The-Atrocity-Committed-Against-Us-Last-Time-That-Will-Excuse-The-Atrocity-That-We’re-About-To-Commit-Today! And So On! Hurrah’!” — Terry Pratchett

“Seeing as this is probably my last hurrah, I don’t suppose I could get you two bleeding hearts to massacre a village with me?  For old time’s sake.” — Julie Kagawa

I guess these did not really inspire me.  I want my “Last Hurrah” to be something that brings more hope and joy and happiness to the world.  It must be something that shows all things are possible even when you are aged.  It must be something that inspires other people to emulate it.  I want my “Last Hurrah” to add meaning to my life and perhaps symbolize what the meaning of my life was.

I want you the reader to think that perhaps a “Last Hurrah” has some value for your life as well.  Instead of raging into the night, what if we all did one last good deed before our end?  The true meaning of life is not raging but love.  To continue to share love until our last breath may be greatest “Last Hurrah” of all. One last great chapter to spread more love in the world.  What will it be?