The Play

A new generation is entering their thirties now and as I watch them I remember being that age myself.

I thought I was so old, so grown-up, so ready to do all those things I saw ahead of me. But I also felt so young, so not ready to step into the shoes of my parents and those people who went before me. I wondered where their confidence, their strength, their seemingly vast wisdom came from?

Now I look at this new generation I wonder the same things. The seem so young, so vulnerable and innocent in many ways, but in others they seem to have that confidence and strength I felt I lacked.

Perhaps it is only the difference between being there myself and watching other people. Perhaps they look at me and see some of those things I saw in my parents and elders.

I love these kids coming up, they fill me with hope as surely as much of world fills me with despair. I suppose that is the story of Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot, the story of the young Arthur coming of age. Our myths just keep repeating themselves over and over. Only the costumes and terminology changes, but the quest is always the same.