Oh To Be Forever Young!

Went shopping today at Watson's and ended up with the above two packets for my aches and pains.  Ya, age is catching up with many of us and though it is easy to say that age is only a number, it really depends on what that number is!

In my younger days, I used to see Mum putting plasters on "strategic" parts of her body, mainly the shoulders and back.  Some of the plasters she used were from China and had a hot, fiery sting when applied  (I think they were called "chilly plasters") - and the hotter they were, the better! 

In all honesty, I never thought that one day I would have to resort to using plasters for my body!  Sigh!  Wish someone would hurry up and find an elixir of youth for all the oldies around the world and spare us some suffering!

Where Have All My Teeth Gone?

I had another tooth extraction the other day.  The dentist did a good job though it took altogether something like an hour because that naughty tooth refused to come out.  I was told it had decayed and had broken into pieces when he tried to extract it.  So he had no choice but to dig it out.  Sounds horrifying, doesn't it?  My teeth are getting fewer and fewer, goodness knows how I'm going to eat in time to come.

Life Lessons From An 80-Year Old Man

 

Here a few tips from an octogenarian.  See how many you can put into action!

1. Have a firm handshake.

2. Look people in the eye.

3. Sing in the shower.

4. Own a great stereo system.

5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.

6. Keep secrets.

7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.

8. Always accept an outstretched hand.

9. Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.

10. Whistle.

11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.

12. Choose your life’s mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90% of all your happiness and misery.

13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.

14. Lend only those books you never care to see again.

15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.

16. When playing games with children, let them win.

17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.

18. Be romantic.

19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.

21. Don’t allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It’s there for our convenience, not the caller’s.

22. Be a good loser.

23. Be a good winner.

24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.

25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.

26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.

27. Keep it simple.

28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.

29. Don’t burn bridges. You’ll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.

30. Live your life so that your epitaph could read: No regrets.

31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.

32. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.

33. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.

34. Take charge of your attitude. Don’t let someone else choose it for you.

35. Visit friends and relatives when they are in the hospital; you only need to stay a few minutes.

36. Begin each day with some of your favourite music.

37. Once in a while, take the scenic route.

38. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, ‘Someone who thinks you’re terrific.’

39. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.

40. Keep a notepad and pencil on your bedside table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.

41. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.

42. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.

43. Make someone’s day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.

44. Become someone’s hero.

45. Marry only for love.

46. Count your blessings.

47. Compliment the meal when you’re a guest in someone’s home.

48. Wave at the children on a school bus.

49. Remember that 80% of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.

50. Don’t expect life to be fair.

(As published in "The Bigger Picture")

Wherefore Art Thou, Glasses?

One of my most frustrating moments in life is when I misplace my glasses. You probably won't believe it but these glasses of mine can be very tricky and can blend into the surroundings like a chameleon when they don't want to be found.  When I misplace my mobile phone, I can call the number from my landline and locate where it is.  But not my glasses.  They don't speak nor do they make any sound to let me know where they are.  I think they delight in playing hide and seek with me.  And when I do find them, they put on such an innocent look that I haven't the heart to scold them for torturing me.  The funniest I've heard about lost glasses is the lady who was searching for them desperately and was about to break down in tears when her friend told her that they (the glasses) are actually sitting on top of her head!  Maybe this is all part of growing old but I refuse to be defeated by these two eyed monsters and shall relentlessly continue to strive and beat them at their own game!

A Collection of Wrinkles

I find this article rather inspiring because I'm beginning to be a collection of white hair and wrinkles, like what the author says!  Read on ....!

I have another birthday coming up soon. With the card, cake, present and hugs will, of course, come the inevitable question, “How old are you?” 

I have gotten to the point now where I can honestly say, “I’m not sure.” This body of mine is going to be 50 years old. This vehicle that carries around my soul will have been here half a century soon. Parts of it look younger and other parts of it feel older. 

My energy level has certainly gone to the dogs. Some of the time I feel like my two month old puppy who is chewing on my toes right now. Some of the time I feel like my twelve year old beagle who is napping by the fan. Mentally my age varies too. In some things I feel like a wise old sage. In other areas I feel like a first grader. Emotionally there are times when I feel like a five year old playing in the sunshine. There are other times when I feel like a nineteen year old looking forward to the rest of my life. There are still other times when I feel like a ninety nine year old wondering where all the years have gone. 

Spiritually it is just as confusing. I feel like the eternal soul that I truly am. Yet, that eternal soul is also forever young. From now on then I am just going to live each day with all of the love, laughter, and joy that I possibly can and let the years take care of themselves.

After all, it isn’t the number of years you live that matters. It is how you LIVE them. For all of us here the longest life is too brief. Why then should we waste a single moment not living our lives to the fullest? Why should we pass up a single opportunity to love, to share, to help, to care, to smile, to pray, to laugh, to sing, to dance, or to be kind?

How “OLD” are you? Are you the slowly aging body you see in the mirror or are you the forever young soul within it? Are you a collection of wrinkles and gray hairs that will one day turn to dust or are you a Child of God meant for an eternity of love?

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

Growing Old

Sometimes you don't need people to tell you you're growing old.  Little things in the house too seem determined to tell you you're no longer a young chicken.  Take for example - I once had my phone on the charger all night and I was dismayed to find that it was still not charged in the morning.  After calling the charger a few not so nice names, I discovered that I had not turned on the connecting switch ...!!  I guess I owe the charger an apology and a big kiss.

Oops!

My 87 year old aunt has been having a bad time lately.  Apart from being allergic to the haze, one of the switches in her house suddenly tripped one night and her house was plunged into darkness.  Brave as she was, she carried on as though nothing happened.  When she went to bed that night, she said that she had the most strange taste in her mouth and blamed it on the haze.  The next morning when she went into her bathroom, she discovered the cause of that "strange taste".  She had accidentally brushed her teeth with shampoo instead of toothpaste!  Poor Aunty!  She really shouldn't be living alone but nothing we say will make her change her mind to stay with her daughter.

Then the Kids Yell

I wake up at eight

Potter about in the garden until nine

Then the kids yell

"Time for breakfast, Ah Ma!"

I drink a cup of Milo and eat some toast

Settle down and read the papers

Then the kids yell,

"Time for lunch, Ah Ma!"

I sit at the table

Fried mee and chicken soup before me

But my favourite sambal is missing

They forgot to buy it from the market

I finish off with warm water and a piece of papaya

Then the kids yell,

"Time for your afternoon nap, Ah Ma!"

I don't feel like napping

But they insist I must sleep

I read the papers again and finally fall asleep

Then the kids yell,

"Time for tea, Ah Ma!"

Is it already four o'clock?

They bring me more Milo and kueh

I take a walk in the garden to stretch my legs

I sit there for some time and watch the setting sun

Then the kids yell,

"Time for dinner, Ah Ma!"

This time rice with chicken curry

Someone has bought ice kacang

We sit and eat it while watching TV

Then the kids yell,

"Time for bed, Ah Ma!"

I don't really want to go to bed

Why can't I go into town and have some char koay teow?

But they insist I am tired and should take some rest

So I change into my pyjamas and wash my wrinkled face

Oh-oh, where are my glasses?

What the heck, I'll find them tomorrow

They tip-toe out of my room satisfied

and switch off the lights

As soon as they've gone, I switch on my bedside lamp

and read a book

Then the kids yell,

"Go back to bed, Ah Ma!"

Kids! Why can't they leave an old woman alone?

I don't mean to be angry

I know they think they're doing what's best for me

But all I want is to be myself

To live life at my own pace

Will they understand one day?

(I wrote this in 2012 on an inspiration from Mum)

Nothing New

My 87 year old aunt recently broke out in rashes due to an allergy.  Her whole body was covered in little pink patches, some of which were in "strategic" places. When we suggested that she should see a doctor, she vehemently refused, saying that it would be too embarrassing.  Finally, after further persuasion, she agreed.  "Oh, what the heck!" she quipped.  "Everything about me is old except my denture.  There's nothing new for him (the Doc) to see anyway."

Longevity

 A taxi driver told me that his mother lived to 105 and she was as healthy as a horse.  She could still cook, look after her great grandchildren and move around without help.  If she had not fallen, she would still be alive today.  No, she did not have any special formula to prolong her life. She was simply blessed with an extraordinary long life.

As Old As We Feel

The cliche that we are as old as we feel makes good sense.  It is all too easy to slip into "old age" and begin our decline down, down, down.  We lose our sense of fun and adventure because we think we're "too old" to do this or that.  Time to make a change and discover how old we really are!

Being Old

It's not too bad being a senior citizen (putting aside wrinkles and missing teeth).  People open doors for you, give up their seat for you, give you special discounts and other privileges.  I hope old people will continue to be appreciated and revered for a long, long time to come.

Not Old

My friends tell me I'm not old but my legs insist I'm a senior citizen when I kneel down and can't get up.

Aging Teeth

I've lost count of the number of visits to my dentist and the number of fillings, crowns and extractions I've had.  Nowadays it's impossible to smile without exposing an amalgam filling or a yawning gap in my front teeth.

Vintage Body

Our bodies are like cars.  When we are young, everything runs smoothly but once age creeps in, this part goes wrong and that part goes wrong, and we need a major overhaul.  We can change our car every year but sadly, we can't change our body.

The Aging Process

They used to call me "Ah Chi" (sister), now they call me "Ah Ee" (aunty).  I dread the day when they call me "Ah Poh" (old woman).  I like it best when they call me "Towkay Soh" (big boss).  Makes me feel rich and powerful.

Long Life

We hope for a long life but doesn't long life mean more pain and suffering?  I wouldn't want to live to 100, unless someone discovers the fountain of youth first.

Age

Woke up this morning with a backache.  Must have been sitting at the computer for too long or was it the time I spent in the garden weeding?  Age is truly catching up.