Aging

Of late I find that there is a gradual erosion of the 5 senses especially when it comes to hearing and seeing.The ears are no longer as sensitive as they used to be when any slight noise would be clearly and easily heard.I know of someone who says " huh?) to everything you say and I wonder is it out of habit or has he got hearing problems ? When we talk we expect to be heard but we tend to forget that there are actually people who cant hear very well because of the aging process and the younger ones must understand and be patient and understanding when an elder asks questions and takes a bit of time to digest the information. Eyesight deteriorates for sure.A few years ago I had no problem driving at night or reading.Today my night vision is only about 65% or so and another indicator is when I hit the golf ball , a few years ago I could see where it went but today I can only follow the ball half way and then I dont know what happens. Yes, as we grow older our senses become less efficient .That is why younger people must learn to tolerate the seniors.If we cannot hear well or see well be patient with us and try to understand that we ourselves are aware of this deterioration and feel naturally upset about it too.We also become forgetful and there are times when the mind actually goes blank when we try to recall certain things .Its inevitable and it will happen to anyone hence we must always understand that people grow old and with aging comes the need for more understanding and caring .

ON BEING PARENTS

Last Sunday was father's Day.I prefer to call it parents day cos that was the time the children arranged for us to go for a short weekend stay at Port Dickson .It turned out to be kind of baby sitting day for us but also it gave the parents a chance to spend much treasured time with their children and I can only assume that as parents they would have been thrilled at the opportunity to see their children experiencing new thrills and learning new things. On looking back we reminisce on the time when our own children were kids and what joy we had seeing them grow up .Life is a long journey and nothing should make parents happier than to be able to share this journey with the children.We are privileged to be able to see them become adults, finding their own mates and having their own kids .Realizing that bringing up children is not easy would surely make them regard their children with more love and affection.And in the process , perhaps they would appreciate what their pwn parents went through bringing them up. They say parents will never cease to be parents >How true..I guess we will never be able to let go as parents.We worry for them and can only observe at what is happening as there would be resentment if we were to voice our opinions if they do not ask for it but should they not realize that we ask , out of concern and no other reason? Its sad but we can see that they find difficulty with coping with the responsibility of managing a family and their whole personality seems to have changed.Mum went through so much more than anyone else in family management , she educates, cooks ,washes ,buys , cleans and yet she has never lost her cool and took everything in her stride and I remember that she never took her frustrations and tiredness out on me.I guess that is what makes her special and she should be a good role model for anyone. of course as you see the kids learn new things and experience new things it is so gratifying and sometimes I wonder why we forget these little joys in life ...seeing our children grow up.This is the best time for parents to be close to their children and closeness only come with togetherness.Often, we are so wrapped up in our own things that we forget this.The children will soon grow up and unless they grow up in an environment of love and warmth very soon the word "Parents" will have little meaning !

Discovery

My girls bought me a mini I pad for my birthday.At first I thought"OMG WHAT AM i GOING TO DO WITH THIS?" After a bit of hesitation I plucked up enough curiosity and consulted my staff. and she taught me some of the things I could do with it.What a discovery !! You can do so many things which you never dreamed you could do.At the moment I'm rediscovering all the old songs which I used to love and this has certainly rekindled my love for songs and music. It is also something which I can use to effectively get my grandson to do things like "Aaron , shower first and you can use the I pad" and he dutifully obliges.What a wonderful bribery tool.To be able to go on the internet and get news updates ,to be able to write messages are things I find so convenient.I replied to an urgent e mail once on the I pad and the receiver was so surprised to see "sent from my I pad "and said " What ? You use I pad ?" Truly you can get addicted to it and you really have to be disciplined to enjoy the world which the I pad opens up for you .