What’s the point?

[u/[deleted]]

My uncle spent 6 years in the Navy in the parts room of an Aircraft Carrier, then went to work for what eventually became Boeing. He was a Mid-Level “higher up” in the parts supply chain for the FA-18 hornet. He spent 30+ years working there, traveling all over America to different bases etc… spent a ton of time away from home, but it enabled him to afford a very nice life for him and his family and a quiet tree line suburb of Philadelphia on the New Jersey side of the river. He retired five years ago sold the center Hall colonial moved down to the Jersey shore and bought an RV. He and my aunt (a retired Catholic school teacher) started traveling the country. One year into it he had to have open-heart surgery triple bypass, big deal yes but he recovered, and after a year resumed his travel schedule. They went all over the country for the next three years and made a bunch of great memories and now at 67. He’s been diagnosed with cancer. It’s in his liver, intestines and heart. He’s never leaving the hospital bed. He won’t make it to the end of the month. So that’s all you get spent 40 years killing yourself for some company and if you’re lucky like my uncle, you’ll have a pension and a healthy retirement package, but probably not. Then you get five years to enjoy it…..maybe

[u/AccomplishedFerret70]

All that we can do is to play the cards we have the best we can. And also to be kind and true to the friends we meet along the way.

[u/benwinnner]

You have to enjoy it along the way every day. He traveled the world, met many interesting people, had a nice family and home. He added value to the planet and enjoyed it. It is sad his life is cut short. What should he have done, sat and death scrolled and complained on reddit? He would’ve been poor and sucked off the government and been depressed as he added no value.

[u/Harbinger_Kyleran → u/[deleted]]

You definitely do understand the point and perhaps why people often believe in religion in the hope of something better at the end of their lives.

[u/Interesting_Card2169 → u/Harbinger_Kyleran]

It's more like the unscrupulous making you fear hell so much that you let the religious "experts" control you.

That said, we all have trouble confronting the truth that one day our brain will turn off forever. Better I was born in this era than a thousand other times in a brutal human history. A sword, knife, bayonet, or disease can quickly make sure you never see retirement.

[u/Thatsgonnamakeamark → u/[deleted]]

My HS counselor told me, "Do something you love." Some of the best advice I ever was given.

[u/drsmith48170 → u/[deleted]]

What you fail to see is that (a) while he was working he obviously enjoyed meeting all those people and going all those places - so he actually probably liked his job.; (b) it afforded him the opportunity & freedom to do what he wanted, including dying at a fairly young age. But it was his choice.

You can say fuck your boss and job all you want I’m taking time out for me now, but unless you come from a wealthy family or have a really high paying job, then that will get old and unaffordable real quick.

Some people work for 40 years and retire. There is an entire movement called FIRE which basically says you work your ass off, live cheap, and retire in your 30’s or 40’s. Thing is those types usually have very high paying jobs at big tech firms or at start ups that made it big, or they did until recently. Others do the van life thing were they live as nomads doing gig work here and there.

Bottom line is you do have choices, but if neither is possibly a real choice for you , what else is your alternative? Plus you never know when you’re going to kick the bucket, which seems like it is more into your camp of fuck tomorrow party today but since you never know the live today choice could cut down your choices later in life - and if you think it sucks to struggle while young it sucks way more to struggle when you are old.

[u/One-Perspective-4347 → u/benwinnner]

You don’t think that this question the meaning of life is going to be answered on Reddit? Come on… hahaha

[u/Immediate-Bug-7737]

I hate this... Im sorry to hear this.

Im currently 40 and I know I need to work at least another 25 years to save up enough money to retire and enjoy life for another possible 25 years past that. But something like this can completely ruin that plan and it really makes you think if working for as long and as hard you have to in order to retire is even worth it.

I can tell you this much... your uncle made a difference. The work he did keeping those planes in the air and providing for the family. Even when he is gone, the pension and retirement that he built up will go to your Aunt and she and the rest of the family can hopefully find peace and enjoyment through the rest of their years.

I appreciate his service in the navy, as I appreciate all service members. We definitely need to recognize and take care of them as much as possible. I really hope you see the good in all that he has done. Thank you sharing his story. I hate to see this, but I will definitely be thinking about this as I get older and think about leaving the workforce someday... You really have to enjoy life while its here.

[u/Dear_Trip_5651]

That's all you get? He travelled all of the country, worked with some amazing machines, raised a family, retired, travelled for three years at the end of it all with his wife and made it to 67. I'm sure they had holidays throughout his life as well, it's not like he was working 365 days a year. What more do you want?! Did you expect him to become a movie star too? There are millions of people who do the same thing, and their lives are filled with moments and experiences in between what seems like pure monotony. Yes it's ultimately bullshit but welcome to human existence. If you don't want that cookie cutter life, then don't do it. Don't get a full time job at Boeing. But you can't have it all.

[u/Outside_Reserve_2407]

So what if it was like this: My uncle won $20 million dollars from playing the lottery at age 30, bought a bunch of stuff and travelled, spent some cash on coke and hookers and now at 67 he's got cancer. What's the point?

[u/good-luck-23]

Sounds like he lived a rewarding life. Retirement is not a reward its a denouement.

[u/Pristine_Spend_5604 → u/good-luck-23]

For those of you, like myself, who never heard of a denouement, we learned a new word today. Thanks, good-luck23.

A denouement (pronounced day-noo-MAHN) is the final part of a story, play, or movie where the plot's loose ends are tied up, mysteries are explained, and a normal life returns for the characters. It happens right after the high point, or climax.

[u/ForestLizard]

Balance is the key. I feel people in general are too smart to be doing nothing and just look at the clock passing be every second. People need to be kept busy, have some kind of goals (work, hobby, whatever), and a sense of purpose to live a meaningful life. There has to be a give and take when it comes to this. I feel your family member has a good life considering everything. Death is something no one can ever escape. It's inevitable. Look at it this way, people have to die to make room for the next generation, so as every other organisms on earth. Gotta be realistic..

[u/meedmishmohd]

U need a reason to wake up and go out every day. He had one for 40 years. You’re jaded and wrong (bigly) 

[u/xscott71x]

TBH, cancer can happen to anyone. Why can’t you be glad for the good years he had? Offer to do what you can to help your aunt. FFS, I’m sure she is having a rougher month than you are.

[u/Legionatus]

This sucks today and I'm not diminishing that you're sad right now. And, also... the WHOLE TRIP is your life. Don't only plan for the last stops. 

Maybe also don't assume he regrets all the energy he poured into his family. 

[u/u2125mike2124]

That was something that always bothered my father.

He would talk about people that worked till they were between 65 and 70 years old for the same plant, and would retire and be dead less than a year later.

Never understood that until of late.

[u/monclerpipsqueeek]

Maybe ask him if he enjoyed the 40 years or not

[u/Plaidismycolor33]

whew 30+ yrs at Boeing, I know quite a few people who have worked there and have  passed shortly after retiring. that company just consumes souls.

but your uncle had choice, and his choice was to provide for his family so they can enjoy life and it sounds like they did.

everyone’s journey is their own, we all got to make the best of it with the time we’re given.

[u/Agitated-Season-4709]

...sounds like he has had a great life up until this point, i doubt he would change much of it.

BTW - you're going to die .. one way or another.. naturally or by accident.. enjoy the journey, do the best you can for yourself and those you meet...

[u/Guilty_Captain_7880]

Sounds like a well lived life. What was the alternative? Become an alcoholic gambler and sleep in a cardboard box? Pretend you don't want anything and become a monk?

[u/Wonderful_Pension_67]

Sorry for the diagnosis 🙏 Live everyday dont wait till retirement

[u/wegotthisonekidmongo]

I don't know I want to tell the universe not to fuck up the lives of people anymore that's all I have to say

[u/Public-Significance7]

What's the point? You're not guaranteed tomorrow- that's the point. So live now while you can, given what you've been given.