WHILE scanning our cellular phone for messages in the group chat we have with our high school classmates over five decades ago, we came across this article apparently posted on Facebook and shared by one of us Ms. Priscilla Lim, a businesswoman residing in Cebu City.
When we read it we agree with her that indeed the article is worth reading especially for us who are moving into the mid-afternoon of our years; we who seem to deny that the load of years on our shoulders are getting heavier by the passage of time and by continuously reminiscing our youthful exuberance.
We assume that by posting the article in the social media this was intended for public consumption. Hence, we believe that we would not be infringing the ownership of the article when we have it re-printed in our column today.
Here is the entirety of the article shared to us by our classmate. We hope our readers will enjoy it and find meaning for all that are said in it.
“You know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
“It seems just yesterday that I was young and embarking on my new life. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
“But here it is… the last quarter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
“I remember well seeing older people through all the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first quarter of my life and that the fourth quarter was so far off that I could not visualize it or imagine fully what it would be like.
“But here it is…my friends are retired and getting gray; they move slower and I see some older persons now. Some are in better and some in worse shape than me… but I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant… but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we’d become.
“Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day. And taking a nap is not a treat anymore…it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will… I fall asleep where I sit.
“And so… now I enter this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pain and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did. But at last I know, though I’m on the last quarter and I’m not sure how long it will last…this I know that when it’s over on this earth…it’s over. A new adventure will begin!
“Yes I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done…things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I am happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.
“So, if you are not on the last quarter yet…let me remind you that it will be here faster than you think. So whatever you would like to accomplish in your life do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long! Life goes by quickly. So do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the last quarter or not!
“You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life… so live, for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember… and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!
“Life is a gift for you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. Live it well. Enjoy today! Do something fun! Be happy, Have a great day! Remember ‘it is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. Lastly consider this:
-Going out is good.
-Coming home is better
-You forget names but it’s okay because some people forget they even knew you!!!
-You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything like golf.
-The things you used to care to do, you aren’t as interested in anymore, but you really don’t care that you aren’t as interested.
-You sleep on a lounge chair with the TV ‘ON’ than in bed, It’s called ‘pre-sleep.’
– You miss the days when everything worked with just an ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ switch.
-You tend to use more 4-letter words ‘what’.. ‘when’..???
-You have lots of clothes in your wardrobe, more than half of which you will never wear.
-But OLD is good in some things. Old songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS.
“Stay well, old friends and laugh in agreement. It is not what you gather but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. Have all the awesome days and cheers!!!”
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