Millennial son was in a bank for an hour with his dad, who transferred money. Excited to escort Dad to Net banking, he asked: “Dad, why don’t we activate your Internet banking? You won’t have to go to the bank to move funds. You can even buy food and meds online and have these brought to your door. Everything will be so easy!”
Dad said: ”If I do that, I won’t have to step out of the house.”
“Yes, yes!” the son exclaimed, but was tongue-tied when Dad added: “You know I am alone. I like to get ready to visit the bank. I have enough time. Since I entered this bank today, I met four of my friends. I chatted with bank employees who know me very well by now. It is the physical touch that I crave and need.”
He went on: “Two years back I got sick. The storeowner from whom I buy fruits came to see me, sat by my bedside and cried. When your Mom had a fall a few days back while on her morning walk, our local grocer saw her, quickly got his car and brought her home as he knows where I live.”
“Would I have that ‘human’ touch with a computer or when I go online? I like to know the person I’m dealing with. It creates bonds of relationships. Do online shops deliver that too?”
“Technology isn’t life. Spend time with people, not with devices.”
*****
The technician returned the smart phone: “Lolo Jose, this device works perfectly.”
Lolo Jose: “Then why did it stop taking calls from my children?”
*****
Thanking her three children for their gifts on her 88th birth anniversary, Lola Dolor said:
“Antonio, the expensive gramophone and the vinyl records of my era’s music are amazing. I get to flex my muscles a bit from my rocking chair to the table where they lay.”
“Maria, the huge 8K smart television is another fabulous fixture in my living room.”
“Your birthday gifts bring back memories. The good moments always stir my thoughts, reminding me that I live a great life. But I still wish I had sharper ears and eyes, some couch time, a healthy body, and a strong heart.”
“Oh! Pablo. You said the exotic psittacine you gave me can replicate religious verses and inspirational lines. The chicken chuckle proved it! My taste buds are excellent!”
*****
Above are three stories that come in varied forms and lengths, and are used to amplify – dramatically or humorously — different circumstances and situations.
The narratives are, at the most, cliché.
But the message is clear and simple: Seniors are here to stay.
*****
Neither a rolling tear nor loud laughter that follows after any of the stories are told seems to sink in the psyche of those who speak about their elders.
Friendly advice: Never snatch a moment away from a senior. In fact, promote that moment that gives them great joy and a reason to share life with everyone they care about and love – the family by blood and affinity they have and the family of friends they find.
There is no debate. Seniors are wiser when they move in their own paradigm and paradise.
*****
No complaints from me, a young senior who turned 67 this month. Considerably young am I, thanks to healthy persons aged 85 to 100, who levelled up the standards for old age.
Technology is good. I agree that its utility has come of age. It has taken creativity and ingenuity to the apex.
Understand, however, that many seniors went through hard times when nothing was easy. No pain, no gain?
Our elders did not mind playing with our toys and gadgets too. They did so because they were glad and happy to firm up familial bonds, not make things easy.
Kiddo, you’ve flown to your own nest and universe. How about taking a quick peek out?
Then maybe, you can give us the time and hug that we cherish.
We do not want memories in pockets or USBs. Carve us in your hearts.
*****
A new day is part of getting old. To be clear, I wrote about a new day, not a new thing.
Change is welcome. However, some shifts may be mind-boggling. Some things can never be put behind me.
But let a new day come. Let me face it the way I am perfectly used to.
Call it arrogance, call it ignorance. Let me be until I am off your back or nerves.
*****
Besides vaccine inoculation and health and safety protocols, officials and media have started talking about circuit breaker measures against the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
Has COVID-19 become electrifying?
Do seniors have to worry about a shock from a shot?
I guess not. But worrying about when politics and science will allow them to roll up sleeves may be sickening to some young-once.
*****
Hurrah! The Ford government expects to inject the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines to Ontarians 60 to 79 years old by the end of May. Inoculations for younger Ontarians will start by summer.
Till it happens, help the very vulnerable smooth sail the next few weeks.
*****
A fragment of a second happens in the past, the present and the future in a fragment of a second.
Stop grieving over the past. Rejoice in the blessings of the present. Never worry about the future.
Confused? Ask Tatang Charles if we are relatives. Also ask Impong Albert how his theory works on us.
*****
How about a Biblical quote from Matthew 6:34 (New Living Translation): “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Told ‘ya!
*****
No-trouble, no-worry philosophy? Hakuna matata!
Gratitude to Disney’s Lion King’s Simba, Timon and Pumbaa, musician Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice.
*****
Excitement over watching the NBA All-Star hullabaloo was just not there.
Without any Raptor in the Team Lebron vs Team Durant game, the remote calmly rotated from a cartoon, a rerun of Die Hard to the latest episode of a Filipino noontime gameshow.
Something was amiss, after several years of seeing a Raptor or two in the NBA’s fancy games.
But it was cool to see Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara sing O’ Canada before the All-Star match. After all, Canada is the only nation to have an NBA franchise outside of the US of A.
Covid-19 may have influenced a big part of a Raptors’ appearance in the 2021 All-Star Games, after earlier games were either postponed or lost. The team’s best players were simply no there to help out Kyle and the bench.
Fan cheers and noise, which add to viewer attraction, was pale, much like the Raptors playing in a Tampa, Florida bubble hardcourt rather than at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
*****
Pareng Asyong, a fellow writer-journalist and another deep-thinking before-I-forget senior, confided that he has been lately consumed with writing obits and eulogies for close friends and brothers of the faith who have returned Home.
As sad as it might be, he said he had to tell their story from the heart and from memory.
How I wish there were more of Pareng Asyong’s kind reaching out to honour the departed with the respect they deserve, particularly in this tough era of the novel Coronavirus.
*****
At Heaven’s door, they will read your book.
For a good story, they will let you in.
Otherwise, they will turn you in.
*****
One question, please. What have you learned from the 100-day pandemic lockdown and stay-home order imposed on Toronto residents, the longest ever in North America?
My answer: I had been there. I learned to survive, with everyone’s cooperation, patience and prayers.
Full opening soon? Just like pre-pandemic days? Bring it on!
By the way, you did survive too.
Does it mean that together, we are on the path of defeating Covid-19? #####