Birthday, Retirement, Funeral

May 8, 2006

Birthday
Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time. Jean Paul Richter

Last Friday, I went to a university to visit a friend of mine, a professor (Ma’am Lyds), who was having her birthday (ahem…it was an official business because she’s also one of my writers). She had many well-wishers, most of them her colleagues: proof of how she is loved by the people around her. Well, who wouldn’t? Ma’am Lyds is a kind-hearted person. I couldn’t help but think, if I throw a party on my birthday next year, would there be many well-wishers, too?

I do not celebrate my birthday with a party. Rather, I make a birthday project which I give to other people. (Only one person knows I do this. Well, not anymore now that I’m putting it in my blog he he he). Let’s just say it’s my small way of giving back some blessings I received in the past year. My project may be a small thing, but to see a person smile because of it is more than enough reason for me to press on with life and work, to continue believing in good things specially in the goodness of others and to maintain a happy disposition. I welcome my birthdays. I welcome the passing of time in my life, because I will become rich…with experience (no, not with money…LOL)

Retirement
The greatest comfort of my old age, and that which gives me the highest satisfaction, is the pleasing remembrance of the many benefits and friendly offices I have done to others. Marcus Cato

It was Ma’am Lyd’s last birthday as a professor in her beloved university where she served for 40 years. At 62, she decided the take the slow lane (She was a professor and a dean at the time of her retirement). Financially she is secured, her children have good jobs, so she has nothing to worry about. Lucky for her. So maybe the decision to retire was easy. I couldn’t help but think, will I reach the age of 62 still working? I mean, at my age now, 29, I sometimes feel my life in the city is making me weak. The fast-paced life is taking a toll on my health. I often tell my friends reaching 60 is already a bonus for me.

I hope to be able to save some money for my retirement (sana bumaba na ang presyo ng mga bilihin at tumaas ang sweldo ko para maka-save ako he he he he). I hope there will be more kind young people to help me cross the street or give me their seat on a bus. I hope the younger generation will still be patient and understanding to old people when I reach 60.

If I will have to decide on where to spend my days after retirement, I will choose to live (hopefully, with someone I love…LOL) somewhere far from the city. In a fishing or farming village maybe. Somewhere laid-back…. where the roads I will travel are not crowded and polluted…where the vegetables I will eat do not have toxins from preservatives…where I can have fish, fresh fish, on my table…where I can hear roosters crow in the morning…..where I can read nice books in a hammock while listening to Jack Johnson (or Regine Velasquez LOL)…where I can afford to have a big lawn for my dogs (lots of dogs) and other pets…

Funeral
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die. Amelia Burr

On my way back home, I dropped by the funeral of my good friend’s grandmother who died at 85. It was a different funeral. There was a karaoke machine and some of the guests and relatives of my friends were singing happy songs. It was Lola Leonor’s wish before she died.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lola Leonor when she was confined in a hospital about two years ago. She was a very jolly woman, full of antics. She entertained her guests in the hospital by telling us stories about her younger days. When a good-looking doctor checked on her, she said, "Doc, kamukha mo ang crush kong si Cesar Montano" ("Doc, you look like my crush, Cesar Montano." Cesar Montano is one of the handsome showbiz personalities in the Philippines). And we all laughed. And, oh by the way, she even planned for the way her casket will be brought to the cemetery–through a horse-drawn carriage!

I wonder, will I ever be prepared when the time comes for me?