"Growing old beats the alternative--- dying young"-------Regina Brent
Getting older is getting better?
Like wine, they say. At least we get wiser with age; with experience, it is easier to learn new things and to understand human nature; we also mellow with age: we become more understanding, patient and tolerant. But to live a full life we have to be physically independent with all our faculties intact. Doing physical and mental exercises will prolong the inevitable.
Almost everyone in my generation is turning 70, oh my, isn't my anxiety growing by the minute? Every time we hear a text alert from friends, there is that apprehension that it's bad news. Either one is very sick or had left us.
Last Sunday we attended another 70th birthday party; a surprise party actually that the son of the celebrant from the US had to stay in his sister's house for three days to add drama to the surprise. Oh well, the celebrant was indeed surprised that he had tears of joy. But I for one don't appreciate this kind of surprise, I'd rather spend the time bonding with my children. To borrow a phrase from a famous game show: A Minute to Win It, I'd say that
"every second counts", especially at our age.
Nevertheless, it was a happy event and like any other 70th-and-beyond birthdays, the celebrant spoke of how lucky he is to reach this age and to celebrate this milestone with family and the dearest and closest of friends.
Socializing keeps people alive; for seniors who stay home a lot, meeting up with friends break the monotony of routine; that's why I was not surprised to see the big turn out of guests, there were more than a hundred. I asked the celebrant's spouse how she gathered quite a crowd specially that she had to keep it secret from her husband and she said that some invitees were recommended by friends she invited.
After the hellos and the how-are-you's, "how are the kids" comes next. This is when parents would share their children's achievement and before you know it, they will be showing pictures of grandchildren on their iPhones. But without grandchildren, you'd feel a bit inadequate and hope no one will ask. After a long absence we find that some friends haven't changed while others are not so lucky I could hardly recognize them. Oh yes, life can be unfair sometimes.
When we attend parties, my husband and I don't usually stick together all the time so we are able to social and catch up with as many friends as possible. That being so, we have different stories to tell each other when we rehash the party afterwards.
When I texted my older daughter to let her know that we're back home safe at around 10 pm, she replied:
"Oh, you're home early"
"It's mostly a seniors' party", I replied.
Except for the 6 grandchildren of the celebrant and a sprinkling of younger ones, the guests went home shortly after dinner; they didn't even stay for coffee. In fact we were among the last to leave, we lingered a bit longer catching up with a few close friends.
As we age, we begin to understand, (though many have realized this sooner), that in the end, what only matters is the family and true friends; not our wealth nor our professional achievements. Here's an excerpt of the famous last words of Steve Job that aptly describes this realization:
"I have reached the pinnacle of success in the business world, in others' eyes my life is the epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. There should be something more important.
The wealth I have won, I cannot bring with me, only the memories precipitated by love. That's the true riches that will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength to go on.
Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends, cherish others."
Here's another point of reflection from a Facebook post of a dear friend Nina, who I know have so much faith:
"Bless this Sunday, our bonding time with the family. Sometimes we feel as though life is slipping away from us, and the passage of time fill us with super anxiety. These feelings are natural and normal, though I know that our hearts are made for eternity. When anxious thoughts oppress us, God will always be there for us."
And I made this comment:
"The anxiety there is loud and clear and like you, I know it's but normal. I accept that we all have to go sometime; so I try to "live each day like it is my last, and learn like I'll live forever".
In the meantime, I'm enjoying life, like Hemingway said:
"it's the journey that matters", so lets keep on going as long as we can. In life however, this journey determines the destination and lest we forget, this destination is forever.
