GROWING OLD - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

The ageing process takes place as our age start climbing

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

"Growing old" is happening to every living creatures. When we are young we do not give much thought to it, but as we reach middle age we began to realise that  we are not so young anymore.  

This is a development in our life cycle. It is a process that all of us will have to go through. 

Every year, as we celebrate our birthday, either we realise or not, it is a reminder that our age is climbing up. 

What does that mean to us?

I don't know about others, but when I started to see the lines on my face as I enter the 40's, I don't like it. Than my age rolls on going into the 50s and 60s.There's nothing I can do, but face the fact of ageing.

The cycle of life from birth to grave

Overtime, we start to notice some changes that are obvious when our hair turns grey and wrinkles appearing. Than the body doesn't function properly which makes us high risks to all sorts of illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes and strokes.

It is easy to say grow old gracefully, but what does it actually means to us? As our age starts rolling than we realiase that we now have many limitations - the physical conditions and the appearance has changed. Our health too needs to be looked after and handle with extra care.

We begin to slow on all fronts. It becomes increasingly difficult to keep up with the younger energies especially if you have grand daughters as young as 4 and 5 years old. To add to that, than there is this memory which becomes less efficient, memorizing becomes difficult and so does our skills and knowledge tend to deteriorate too. 

I have to confess that I'm pretty worried and stress when come to think that I'm growing old. But thank you and I owe to my daughter Eena who comfort me on the importance to grow old gracefully and many older women looks more attractive than they are young because it comes with wisdom. To me, what most important is when my children gave assurance that they will always be with me, at good and bad times, in health and sickness.

Most precious when you got to be with your grandchildren

Now that I have entered the 60s, experiencing all the changes, syukur Alhamdulillah and felt blessed that my children, although they are busy with their life, but always take time to be and care for me. My youngest daughter Eena who is married with a 4 years old daughter Abby stays with me and at weekend she goes back to her in law. In replace my second son Azman and his wife and 2 kids Dian 5 and Demi 7 months will come over to spend time with me. While my eldest son Azlan make frequent calls to check on me and drop by on weekend too. 

There's nothing more a parents could ask for when they grow, other than the care and loved of their children.Many younger generation do not realise, what their parents needs are the feeling being loved and cared for by their own children. Event if you have to put them at the old folks home, do not abandon them and keeping the distance. Visit them often, take them out and give them time to talk to you and see the grand children

Gardening is another form of exercise good for old folks

I also realise, it's time that I make some changes and adjustment in my life, and as a muslim I need to pay more attention to my activities which brings me closer to Allah S.W.T.

Another thing that I learn and most important, we must keep our minds and body active, always "working" like reading, light exercise like brisk walking or swimming or doing house work, gardening and socializing among peers", join an interest group, so that we do not easily get "rotten".

I still keep in touch with all my friends through the social media and also through the activities of a club call Kumpulan Veteran Utusan Melayu (KVUM), a social club for ex Utusan Melayu staff. 

I felt sad when I see older folks being abandon by their own flesh and blood. He or she has sacrifices many things and struggle all their life making sure that the children are not starving,  at least. I've visited many old folks home, many of the inmates are happy to see and a few thought we are their family who came to take them home.

Being old is about many things, changes in life - freedom yes, but then every thing get slowing down. Than we started to loose many things from health to strength, companionship and to loneliness. 

Being old is being lonely

Actually growing old is not so bad after all. There are ample opportunities for us to be actively engage in many things that we cannot do it before. As a muslim, most of us would like to dedicate our time to be closer to Allah S.W.T. Than we want to spend more of our time with the children and the grand children as well as relatives and friends whom we have "neglected" during the younger days busy working in search of wealth, fame, power and position.

At the same time in order to stay good, it is important that that we look after our own welfare, among them are: 

Eat Healthy - eat plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as supplements such as vitamin D and calcium;

Exercise - our muscle tissue can become less flexible and we lose a lot of bone density with age. Exercise can help to prevent this, start with light exercise but don't overdo it and seek advice of doctors, just take a 30 minute walk everyday.

Exercise to improve memory

Exercise your mind - we can prevent cognitive decline, and keep ourself busy with activities such as reading, join a "quran" class, do suduko, crosswords, take up hobby like painting, light gardening and learn new things that you like.
Socialize - surround ourself with friends and perhaps join a special group like the "berzanji and marhabah group" where we will get the opportunities to be part of the society during "kenduri" and weddings or "old friends group" where we visit each other at 
good and bad times. 

The "berzanji and marbahan" group got many              
 invitation to perform in many "kenduri"  

Pay More Attention to our health -  stay on top of our health, visit the doctor for routine screening such as mammogram and for men for prostate, cholesterol, blood pressure, eye exam, hearing test etc.

The most important thing when we grow old, keep going but at a slower pace. @01.06.2015