This past month some friends and I have been sharing, anonymously, thoughts on the pandemic and its influence on our growth as people — reflecting on how it’s changed us, how we’ve risen to the challenge (or not). I ended my written reflection by commenting that I hoped 2020 had made me take to heart the lesson offered by Robert Merrick in the 17th century, a lesson that Jean-Luc Picard also offered in the 24th.

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
   Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
   Tomorrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
   The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
   And nearer he’s to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
   When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
   Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
   And while ye may, go marry;
For having lost but once your prime,
   You may forever tarry.