Age is inevitable. Aging isn't. * (Part 2)

Points to Ponder: Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. - Samuel Ullman

I intend to grow old naturally, (Childhood and Youth)

and I intend to enjoy it every step of the way. (Falling in love, Family, Career, caring for Aging Parents)

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.** (Four Phases of Life)

Reflection: The past thirty days have been very special with respect to connecting with people I have known throught out my life; 35 of the people I have known since kindergarten, one of the first couples who welcomed me in Silicon Valley in 1975, 21 members of the great team from my last place of work (1997-2015), the person who was kind enough to help me integrate well into Intel 25 years ago, and many other friends and members of the family. I was fortuante to meet some in person and others through wonders of technology: Zoom.

For school friends, 51 years have passed but the enthusiasm we had in the old days had not passed from any one. A small team created a good singing and dancing program for our highschool reunion with the same degree of enthusiasm (despite some aches and pains) as in childhood that provided a lot of entertainment for the larger Zoom audience. It was Yesterday Once More. Sample Video from the practice session: Shardamandir Eight (one minute).   Snapshots actual program Starts at 15 seconds.

During Zoom and Personal reunions with friends from my place of work we shared funny incidences from past that brought a lot of laughter and joy reminding us of The Way We Were. As always connecting with my family members around the world was a great source of happiness. Diffrent people from these large group of family and friends represent each of the four phases of life: Childhood, Youth, Family and Career and The Golden Years (all of my childhood friends and a few workplace friends). Though we are in different age groups, we enjoyed and laughed just like in the old times and sang and danced with the same enthusiasm.

But this reflection wouldn't be complete without mentioning how special this day (September 24th) is in my life. On Septmber 24, 1970, I got a letter from a girl in Philippines who became my 13th penpal, and eight years later my partner for life. We have grown together through the years like the flowers in the above photos, growing and enjoying in every phase; the most precious gift life has given to me. Happy 51years of knowing the person who has helped me learn the meaning of Living in the Present.

*Quote by Mark Levy   **Quote by Mark Twain

Note: In May 2019, the reflection with the same title (Part 1) was published with the story of the amazing person who stays young at the age of 102 with his passion for painting. The readers comments in that reflection have universal message and are shown in the comments section of this publication as well.

https://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2019/05/age-is-inevitable-aging-isnt-.html

 

Comments

[FR Team]

Comments from Part-1 of this subject published in May 2019.
age is just a number, though it does rear its ugly head once a while with an ache here and there. but 102 is impressive!

Posted by: Impressed | May 02, 2019 at 10:23 PM

Pulao Penang
love this article... aging is a part of process... how to make it meaningful is up to us 🙂

Posted by: Pulao Penang | May 03, 2019 at 05:30 AM

BHSC
Great wisdom... great reflection

My parents are 78 & 79... they have full days together working in their Menlo Park garden, house repairs, projects (this week dad installed 2 gates, mixing and pouring the concrete himself), taking walks and bike rides, cooking and baking, watching old movies (eg at the Standard Theater). They are very happy and very active ( for any age!).

Thank you, my friend

Posted by: BHSC | May 03, 2019 at 05:35 AM

Malu Reyes
I love this. I was just contemplating this today. I believe one of the evidences that humans are more than flesh and blood, is that as our bodies grow older and weaker, we can know in ourselves that our minds and souls are getting stronger and wiser.

Posted by: Malu Reyes | May 03, 2019 at 05:47 AM

Denise
This is beautiful Anand. Thank you.

Posted by: Denise | May 03, 2019 at 05:48 AM

Santosh Joshi
Thank you for your reflections and reminder .
Perhaps you have seen This on CNN

https://www.oprahmag.com/life/health/a27126218/sanjay-gupta-chasing-life-happiness-interview/

Posted by: Santosh Joshi | May 03, 2019 at 06:47 AM

Humble Warrior
Growing old is mandatory, but Growing up is optional. -Walt Disney

Posted by: Humble Warrior | May 03, 2019 at 03:47 PM

Arizonian
Anand, very nice, painting does that...mahalo for sharing...

Posted by: Arizonian | May 03, 2019 at 04:17 PM

ET Manila
Older..We are wiser..cz we analyzed n thn let go if not ok. Guess we hv to step Up n kp our physical body more in tune wt our tranquil n wiser mind

Posted by: ET Manila | May 04, 2019 at 08:42 AM

Sam
Anand, I believe the purpose of this article is to share the thought that we can make ourselves useful all throughout our life and not fall back to the common wisdom that we become less useful after we get old. Another insight from this thought is that we have a limited life on earth but we live it as if it is endless. Hence, we try to do a LOT of things during our "working" part of our life and waste it on things that have very limited value. We do not apply the concept of "opportunity cost" and say YES to a lot of things which is better to avoid. Another great article!

Posted by: Sam | May 11, 2019 at 12:07 PM

[Sung Kim]

Wow, congratulations! I just realized that you have something in common with me. My wife was also my penpal 22 years ago. We have been married for 18 years now. Hope to continue our path.

[Ronak]

Very good reflection. Sept 24th... Start of Luisanand story... 13th penpal... When and how did you start penpalling? You owe me a big cake for setting your life train on the right and love filled romantic track....😊😍🥳😇🙏🏻

[Beth]

I have read and I have seen the video, your pen pal and life partner is also my tff

[Santosh]

Thank you Anand for sharing your inspiring reflections. Congratulations to you and Louisa on this special day🎈

[Sharad Mehta]

Nice reflections! It was so nice to connect with old classmates. Very nicely summarized by you.

[humble warrior]

how beautiful, I love the journey and loop back around to reminisce w/ dear friends of life, thank you for sharing

[BR]

Wonderful message! You are very lucky to meet your life partner who was your pen friend.
Wishing you a long and happy innings together!

[FE-Japan]

You’re really enjoying your retirement, Anand! Happy for you!

I intend to grow old gracefully. 😍

Happy 51st anniversary (since receiving that first ever letter from your pen pal, Luisa)! May you have more beautiful anniversaries to come! 🎉

[Cebuana]

Yes, and for me, it's just a number and it's up to us as to how to deal with it too...despite aches and pains (which is what my HS friends discussed now--meds and aches and then we laugh).. will send you photos of some of our reunions..

I am fortunate to have met you and of how years go by but still remained friends with a lot of people in your life. Much so--with the love of your life.... my 51 years of knowing each other (Congratulations!!)....that's what they called FATE. Even though My husband and I only knew each other for a couple of years, I thought we did great of reaching 33 years of blessed years of marriage. But mind you, I had this dream when I was in 4th grade dancing with foreign, bigger guy, wearing a suit (nope--Filipinos do not wear suit in formal affairs--only barong)....so there's my FATE too...

Hope you have a great Friday...

[Levi's]

Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories and interesting adventures (even some via Zoom). I did not know about the story of Queen Heo who came from Ayodha, India and whose decendents include the Kim and Lee family names in modern Korea!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heo_Hwang-ok

[Nilima]

Anand, you have good memory that you recieved first letter from your wife on sept. 24. 1970. Congratulations to you and Louisa for completing 51 years.

[Irene Stevenson]

I lovee this post. Sorry it took me a while as I have a lot going on with my husband's health. Sometimes I feel so weak and depressed with everything but reading this certainly brings me back to realizing that I'm not alone and not weak. After reading this reflection and reading all the comments it makes the burden I'm facing a lot lighter and I have a lot more strength to tackle what life brings (good or bad). Thanks Anand!