Page 198 - The Legacy of Abraham Rothstein - text

Old age and the future

So I made for the bookcase and grabbed the first book that struck
my eye, which, to my great relief, was the very book one is never too
old or tired to peruse, the Book of Job. Every page, every paragraph
and sentence, is a philosophy of life. It reminds you that you are just
a weak creature who seeks things beyond his reach, or things that are
useless. Even the ruler of all men and beasts does not rule but a
twinkle of the eye and passes out of the picture. The discussions, the
dialogues, the lamentations, the complaints and heavenly
justifications, written in free verse, have no equal in the annals of
literature. A few minutes with my friend Job made me forget my so-
called friend and soothed my distressed spirit.
A few of my friends call me often on the phone to inquire about
me, and I appreciate very much their time and trouble. It breaks up
the monotony of lonesomeness, and I anticipate the next
conversation. My daughters call regularly every day, and I enjoy
talking to them, although I know they do not enjoy my melancholy
conversation; yet they do not tell me that, and I am learning not to
complain, for people have their own little troubles and they cannot
give you help. I am fortunate that I do not need material help, as I
have strived all my life to provide for myself in my declining years. As
far as physical help is concerned, I hope I shall not suffer disabilities
making me a burden to my children, and that cruel—or it might be
said, kind—nature will take care of me, and relieve me of my long
suffering.
In the years that I worked hard to support the family, and tried to
save a little of my meager earnings, I was mocked and looked upon
with derision by my so-called friends, and even by my nearest
relations, for being too frugal and not enjoying myself or giving my
late dear wife pleasure by going out and having a good time. “You
can’t take it with you,” they told me. Yes, I was frugal. I denied
myself a new-style suit, or seeing a movie that the whole town is
talking about, one in which the heroine does a bedroom act that
makes all the flatheads say “Ah!” But the only silver ray in my misery
today when I am old and alone is that I saved enough to be
independent.
My dear wife, in her pain and misery in the sick bed in the hospital
a few days after the operation, paid out several hundred dollars in
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