Tuesday, July 03, 2012

At 87, Do I Still Look Okay?

Let's have some good vibes... :)

Earlier, before going home, my friends and I went to SM Southmall to eat our lunches and have some bonding time of window shopping. My beautiful friend is looking for a power suit that she will use sometime this month. And with the brainy powers of my best buddy and I in terms of clothing, wardrobe and apparels (in short, fashion!), we helped her with ease and she gained some ideas on what to put on. We were at the jeepney when an old woman stretched her arms and ask for a ride going to our same destination. My best buddy and my beautiful friend tried to help her since she was on her age not to typical to load alone on a public transportation. She thanked us appreciatively and started talking to us. Next to her on our seats was another old lady in her late sixties. She told us, "mas matanda pa pala ako sa kanya." We insisted a question to her, "bakit po, Lola? Ilang taon na po siya?" She answered us with a responsive one, "mga nasa 69 na." The first old lady who went down from our jeepney also needed an accompaniment because she was also alone. Then we asked her, "kayo po Lola, ilang taon na po kayo?" We were delighted with her answer, "87 years old." We only said one known interjection, "Wow!"

She boasted to us that she still had the best memory in her head. She can still remember the time she graduated with a bachelor's degree of nursing at the University of the Philippines and she also pursued her graduate studies at U.P. with a master's degree in Public Health. She used to be a nurse in Manila Doctor's Hospital, Mary Johnston Hospital and other hospitals in Manila. And we were also in high spirits when she told us that she used to work as a nurse in the United States and Saudi Arabia. She was Top 6 in the local nursing board exam, in 1949. It was also a small world because some of her grandchildren studied in our institution where we belong to. But it was so long ago that her grandchildren were already professionals by their own. And yes, she only lives just a stone throw away from our institution. She told us that if we have time, we'll just try to visit her at her abode somewhere in BF Homes. And with her sharp memory, she knows the exact address of her residence, together with the house number, street name and the name of the village. Her name was Lola Lydia and I'm so happy to meet someone like her, whom at her age of 87 still rocks!

I heard so many stories about having that kind of age and still alive and kicking! My only grandmother, who lives in Binangonan, Rizal is already 95 years old, just five years before she becomes a centenarian! Even though she has loosened skin because of her old age, and already using a wheelchair because of her weak bones and muscles, still her mind is as sharp as a pencil. She still knows the names of my mother and my two uncles, though having difficulties with our names as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The owner of the country's number one book store simply called National Book Store is indeed having an age of 90+ still managing it. She even handles the distribution of the books at their warehouse and does so much stuff for her business. And I remember the time that while my mother, my brother and myself eating in Goldilocks in SM Southmall, we were amazed that a 95-year-old old woman was celebrating her birthday. Many stories have been told, some were women, some were men, and some were partners having the same age and still having a good time together. Now, if I reached the same age of Lola Lydia of 87, do I still look okay?

I am in my near 25 and still I feel something okay. I tried having executive check up last summer vacation and all of the results were okay. The organs are good except one time that my blood pressure went up high to 150/110. It was not really normal for a person having this kind of age because I am still young. What Lola Lydia told us about her secret on living a life that is healthy and strong was eating the right kind of food, exercising, staying away from vices and the best thing, always being happy! She is correct! I always say that I wanted to reach 100 years old not thinking of what's going to happen with my physical characteristics, as long as I am going to see the changes of the world for the next 75 years. It might be hard but it's a good thing unlike others whom at the tender ages of 30, 40 or 50 years dies because of natural death or by means of accidents and whatever.

Vice Ganda wanted to die at an early age of 40, but Mama Kris Aquino asked her if he could add five (5) more years to his life. Vice Ganda reluctantly said okay so he was okay to rest himself in peace at the age of 45. My co-teacher once said that she wanted to exit in this world at an early age because she doesn't want to see herself looking old. My best buddy said that it is okay for him to live until 50 years old because he wanted to die fresh and youthful-looking (hahaha!). For me, I would like to see the changes that might happen in our world. I want to see if flying cars can be really true. I want to see the changes of my country and the people. I want to see the newest gadgets and newest computers that I could only see in science-fiction movies. And I want to see whose going to be with me as my future partner in crime. I want to see myself having a family of my own and my friends having their families of their own. I want to see what will happen in the future.

So yes, Lola Lydia. I'll try my best to be fit and healthy and happy. And I guess for that, I would have the best of my life in the next 50 to 75 years. I'll make sure that I'll reach 100. Maybe after 75 years if my blogspot is still alive, I would read this (hopefully my eyes are still okay at that time) again and see if I really achieve it! As of this moment, I'm having some difficulties about my life in which I don't want to put some words on to detail. I'm having a stressful work and I'm having problems with so many people. I don't know how am I going to deal with it but just like what Lola Lydia, Socorro Ramos and to my grandmother, they did. Looking at them, still alive and kicking, is a remarkable gift from God.

So at 25 years old? Mr. Ziegrey Oris Balota, do you still look okay? I could say no. Onward to 100!

Toodles!!!

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