My dad died, I think, at 87. So I'll be lucky if I make 87. But

Hearken, O children of time and reflection, and attend to the words of B. B. King: “My dad died, I think, at 87. So I'll be lucky if I make 87. But in a lot of cases, the younger people live longer than their parents. And they know more. My dad used to tell me he ate the hog from his rooter to his tooter. So do I when I'm not trying to lose weight.” In these words lies a meditation upon mortality, inheritance, wisdom, and the human appetite for both life and living fully. From the dawn of understanding, men and women have pondered the legacy of their parents, the lessons of their forebears, and the ways in which life’s abundance may be honored without neglecting prudence or purpose.

Consider the nature of life and mortality. B. B. King reflects upon the finite span of human existence, acknowledging the limits set by age and circumstance. Yet he also observes a truth of human progress: the younger often outlive the elder, carrying forward accumulated knowledge, insight, and habit. Life is thus both gift and inheritance, measured not merely by years, but by the wisdom absorbed, the joy experienced, and the ways in which one honors the legacy of those who came before.

History offers luminous parallels. Consider Benjamin Franklin, who outlived many of his contemporaries and ancestors, yet continually sought knowledge, invention, and personal improvement. He observed the habits of those before him, learned from their successes and errors, and forged a path that extended and enriched the lives of those who would follow. Like King, Franklin understood that longevity is not simply a matter of years, but of practice, observation, and the application of inherited wisdom.

King’s reflection also illuminates the transmission of culture and habit. His father’s saying about eating the hog “from his rooter to his tooter” is more than humor; it is an expression of completeness, appreciation, and resourcefulness. Such lessons, often shared in everyday moments, shape behavior, values, and understanding. The younger generation inherits both the practices and the philosophies of those who came before, allowing life to be approached with humor, pragmatism, and reverence for abundance.

The reflection emphasizes the balance of indulgence and moderation. King observes the delight in savoring the whole, yet acknowledges the restraint required in the pursuit of health and longevity. Wisdom lies in knowing when to enjoy fully and when to temper desire. In this, he mirrors the ancients who taught that the art of living requires both joy and prudence, celebration and care, indulgence and self-restraint.

From this teaching flows practical wisdom. Learn from the lives and habits of your elders, absorb their humor, discipline, and insight, and adapt these lessons to your own life. Honor the past by embracing its wisdom, yet temper inherited indulgences with awareness and foresight. Let memory, observation, and experience guide choices that cultivate longevity, health, and satisfaction.

Let the generations remember this eternal truth: life is inheritance, knowledge, and enjoyment intertwined. B. B. King’s words remind us that mortality is certain, yet wisdom and joy may be passed forward. To live fully is to embrace the lessons of those who came before, to savor life’s abundance, and to navigate the balance between indulgence and prudence with humor and insight.

Therefore, O seeker of understanding, honor the lives and lessons of your parents, relish the gifts of sustenance and experience, and cultivate awareness of your own finite journey. In doing so, you blend memory, wisdom, and delight into a life that is rich, balanced, and enduring, leaving a legacy of insight and joy for those who follow.