Coming of Age

Agatha Christie has given me a very inspiring quote: "I have enjoyed greatly the second blooming that comes when you finish the life of the emotions and of personal relations; and suddenly find — at the age of fifty, say — that a whole new life has opened before you, filled with things you can think about, study, or read about."

Well, for me it came about ten years later because in a few weeks time I will earn my second citizenship - senior citizenship. Indeed, I am looking forward to a "whole new life"...filled with things I can think about, study or read about, or even write about.


I saw Benjamin Button on DVD a few days ago. I cannot be like him, growing younger as the years go by, but my perspectives may become broader as I count the years. I think this is referred to as growing in hours and not only in years.

Why don't I feel my age? On the other hand, how should I know how it really feels when I have never been sixty before? This probably makes sense.

The other Sunday, the tindera at the talipapa in Sta. Lucia told me: "Tatay heto yong sukli mo." She could have called me "Kuya" or "Manong" but she didn't. That's the reality that I have to live with. No sweat.

When I was doing my groceries before Christmas at SM, I was courteously told to go to the special check-out counter for senior citizens with the shortest line. I obliged. Luckily nobody asked me to present a senior citizen's card - because I really didn't have any - yet!