Is there something of a proverb that comes to mind from home?
J.A. – “La vecchia e una rogne; ma si non l’arrive, e una veregogna.” (Italian)
Translates to: Old age is trouble; but if you don’t get there, it’s a shame.
J.A. – “My parents’ people were farmers in Italy. This saying has a fatalistic humor that resonates with me. I feel closer to people I never knew hearing the clever play on words in the original Italian.”
This being a dark proverb, it brings to my mind the mortality of those I’m close with. I got stuck for a few minutes on the first half of that sentence; “old age is trouble.” What does that mean? Are you going to die? Is disease coming for you? It’s interesting – this person thought of the proverb as an example of “fatalistic humor.” I’d disagree with that, actually. I’d argue that it’s a blatantly depressing proverb, explaining that any life is better than death. The inevitability of what’s coming for you may be frightening, but – hey, at least you’re alive.