Years back, when we were living in this anxieties-filled world, busily making a living, raising families, and working hard, we failed to notice how our time flies so fast, and suddenly, with a jolt of lighting, we found ourselves already seniors.
Then, on hearing the iconic Beatles’ songs, we would clap, jump, dance and gyrate to the tune of the music. After work, we would go straight to our watering holes, drink a few rounds, and belt out Frank Sinatra My Way, Cycles, That’s Life or Nat King Cole’s love songs.
In those years, we knew being seniors was still far from us, and we didn’t want to talk about it, so we had to indulge in those things that could give us pleasures and a good life.
Our mantra was to enjoy life while we could.
The same was true with women; they enjoyed the music of the 60s,70s and 80s. Of course, these women’s joys included joining the rock’ ‘N rolls and drag dance parties, going to moviehouses, having dates, spending sprees buying clothes and shoes, and following the latest fashion styles.
Then, our plans were always for the immediate needs, never mind about tomorrow; the focus was always on the present.
After work, we would indulge in those good times, doing things that could make us relaxed and unwind after a stressful day.
Now, as boomers and GenXers, we feel the effects of old age: frequent illnesses, weak legs, poor eyesight, memory loss, deteriorating health, loss of appetite and other mental and physical disorders.
There are some benefits to being seniors; we avoid toxic people, let go of anger, forgive and forget others’ shortcomings, avoid arguments, and let bygones be bygones.
Occasionally, we reflect on those beautiful things that made us happy—our first love and crush, happy high school days, carefree teen years, and our university days.
We have become less political in life; we understand now this messy world needs Divine intervention to rid us of suffering, violence, wars, injustice and hunger; we’ve seen the failure of the various political and economic systems to bring about permanent solutions to humanity’s problems.
These days, we are all aware of the passing of time, so we try our best to catch up for the lost time, hosting reunions with former classmates, friends, co-employees and family members to recapture the joyful years of our lives.
Our life now is a never-ending reminiscing of the good old days when we were young and carefree.
Though we would like to turn back the hands of time so we could still do more in this life, time keeps moving on and on, and the only option we have is to go slow, stay put, and calm down, and that’s the best way of living stressed free.
And, of course, we must adapt to the new environment and be content with what life has given us, get rid of any desire to acquire more material things—remember, we’ve come to this world naked, we will go to the pit, naked too.
Of course, we are thinking about what will happen to us when we die, and being seniors, we cannot help but think about it, so now is the time to consider our spirituality and focus on the more essential things in life.
Reading the Bible will benefit us all—it’s where we can find the meaning of life, where we are in the stream of time, and where we are going.
Now is the time to look for true friends who will stick with us to the end, through thick and thin, as we walk through the right path in life.
At this age, we are now thinking of what legacy we are leaving this generation, preparing for the future of our children and grandchildren. Still, of course, in the process, we take care of ourselves, too, knowing that for as long as we live, we are still in the position to guide and take care of them.