Lucy Oblena with Sara, her Jack Russell Terrier
Growing old is a natural process where things are slowing down and one will begin to see that the sparkle in his/her heart and the twinkle in the eyes will make him/her beautiful in a way that is not achievable in youth.
For women, for a period of time, they might even resist aging as they try their hardest to fight off wrinkles and hang on to the physical beauty of their faces. But for me, I would not retouch my wrinkles because it took me so long to possess them.
I do not deny my age. I will be 85 years old on Monday, the 25th of May, 2009, still enjoying good health and being able to move around. I thank God Almighty for these blessings. Each year of a person’s life has its own future, its own hopes, its own desires.
A fact worthy of mention about my reaching this age is in knowing how my life worked out. Sure, God willing, there may be more years to go, but there is not much doubt that I will yearn for history because I have seen it, am still witnessing what is happening at present and will come to know future events. Moreover, another gratiying comfort of my old age that gives me the most satisfaction is reminiscing my contribution and services to society for the welfare of others: the youth in particular and the community/country in general.
Hence, I love growing old. Grow old along with me. The best is yet to come!
Reaching 85 is a milestone everyone wishes to achieve, and you did. You prove once and for all that age is simply a number, contrary to the aphorism that it is state of mind. Like a good wine you’re aging to perfection. Ma’m, you are as keen and as erudite as when you were my mentor circa 52 years ago, nothing has ever changed but for the better. I am glad to be one of those lucky students who you helped in carving out their destinies. My family joins me in wishing you HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and may God’s blessing be always upon you and your loved ones
I appreciate Mam Lucy’s perception of life, specifically on aging. Physical aging follows the law of nature and no one really can escape it. It is true with all creations. Physical beauty fades as time goes by but not the beauty within.
What is important is to remain young-at-heart and to continue living and loving and not merely exist. For life is a blessing, a gift from the living and eternal God.
Happy 85th Birthday, Mam Lucy!
Mommy Elvie, Myrna and I wish you another decade or more of birthday celebrations.
One might say that some people dread the natural aging process, and those who accepts aging as it is would deserve a lot of admiration and accolades. Most people view that youth is a societal good, and they would give a valuable premium as such. Mass media seem to perpetrate a sub-culture of superficiality. There is a phenomenon called ‘Age compression.” Age compression’ is a marketing strategy in which adult products and attitude are pushed on younger kids.
And as people age, they would seem to find that they did not fully utilize their youth. Ever heard of the this conversation
Girl 1: “30s is the new 20s”
Girl 2: “Who said that?”
Girl 1: “Women in their 40s.”
The conversation above illustrates on how people are trying to compress their age in order to be stucked in one stage of development. The Mass Media seems to favor the Young adulthood (20′s to 40 years) phase, and this is the target in order to be in a sub-culture of superficiality.
Kudos to you for loving growing old, and not denying your age. =)