50 is here!

Some people say that life starts at 40 and gets better when you reach 50. For years I have been in that 40s bracket until the number 4 fell off and replaced with the number 5 a few days ago. I guess, I have to expect that to happen as we often aged gracefully into the 50 bracket. Yes, I would like to say that I have embraced my 40's transition to the 50 transition with much dignity and grace. Yes too to the fact that being termed  as "Uncle" seemed inevitable and the greying of the hair seemed to be progressively on course to total whiteness soon enough. So, the question on everyone's lips and mind is "how did it go for you?".

Well, first of all, I must say that I am not heading to the 6'X4' plot any sooner while I am improving nicely medically though my sugar reading still raises the eyebrows of my beloved & concerned doctor, Dr.Jaswant. Thank you so much , doctor, for all the support, encouragement and deep concerned for the state of my health and for wanting me to get the best of health minus the ever growing pill list. Other than that, I am just fine. Occasionally, the concerned of fatty liver traces and the need to lower down the bad cholestrol readings seemed to be the stressing point of every tri-monthly check-up, I will do my best to overcome these concerns though I doubt it very much that I am gonna give it a miss to the roasted pork and char siew fare from the shop downstairs my office. ( It's staple diet lar , doc! Gotta have that to "oil" all the right parts of the body like car engine parts! hahahahhaaaaaaaaaa................. )

I realised too that I have "changed" for the past two years. I have taken a different outlook of my life and I am beginning to enjoy the little things of my life which I had taken for granted all these years. BTW, I have learnt to stand up and say "NO" when it matters! (Yippeeeee! Very important to be able to say "NO" as sometimes we are all just too nice and people take advantage of us, right?) I am a lot calmer now and happier, I hope. I am still stressed up as usual about work and so on ( who isn't , right?) but I guess, I've learnt that I can't satisfy everyone and anyone plus, I am really doing my best. I have learnt too that being happy makes things easier to digest even if it is a bad situation. I guess, positive thinking and less expectations have helped making thing easier for me for this 50 transition. 

Seeing my children grow up has also helped me realised that I have done my responsibility ( I may not have been good at what I do - first time father lar...but I learnt along the way ) and it is up to them to help themselves by choosing their own career paths, dreams, goals and life path. So , what is left for me is to just enjoy the little small pleasures in my life. Like they say, to wake up and smell the flowers in the garden and to grow old gracefully. Yes, I am contented that eventhough I may not be a millionaire or a billionaire ( still hoping to get some Arabs to donate generously to my retirement fund, yunno! ), I am happy with whatever little that I have. The word is I am thankful - THANKFUL to the Lord for extending the "contract of breath " to my life and the very grace for me to continue living with whatever I have in this life of mine. I may not have the very best of life but I intend to use whatever little life I have to be a blessing to anyone who is willing to be a friend of mine.

So, I am thankful for my 50th birthday "celebrations" though I would have loved a quieter one where I could sit by the beach alone ( Damn! Those beach in Melaka are being filled up for land development!!!! )  and reflected my 50 years in life. Yeah, if you do not know me by now, I am one of those old fashioned bugger who would like to have some time for himself during birthdays to sit down reflect on the goals set and even re-examine what I have done over the years.  Yeah, I am like that. It helped me stay sane and focus on my life.  I am not the proud, arrogant, pompous or even the crazy odd ball. I am just who I am - simple bloke from a small town with simple needs. 

What I like about turning 50 is the chance to turn 60 in 10 years time! Hopefully, this old man can reach that ripe old age and still enjoy the simple things in life. I am thankful for all the presents, the kind words, encouragement and support given to me all these years. I truly appreciate the friendship of each and everyone of you. You people make me so alive with the things you do or say each day or each week or even each year. I am thankful that I could still blow out candles to my cake without making a mess out of it or my dentures falling out !!!!! Thankful too that I could share a little of my life with each and everyone of you who had colored my life so immensely over the years.

So, there you have it - my 50th memorable birthday celebrations - my inner thoughts. Yunno, when the cakes are cut , distributed and eaten ....when the good words, wishes and blessings are given...when the gifts and heartfelt presents are unwrapped and marveled......what else is left ? Memories and colourful joy of a lifetime for the heart remains......that is what I am after every time I celebrate my birthday. Nothing gives me more joy/pleasure than  that fond memories, joyful time and that certain happiness in the heart. THANK YOU , everyone.........