58 and Feeling OK!

Officially 58 as of today. 

When I was around 9, my grandfather passed away. He was 60 or 60-something at that time, and my mom was 33. My dad was 42, and my grandma was around 57 or 60 maybe? Nobody was very old at that time. They were just grownups with not many wrinkles. Now, I'm much older, and people around me are getting much, much older too; some of them are really old, like in their 80s or 90s. 

My dad has already passed—he was 68 when he died. My mom is going 82 years strong next November, and I hope she will live a full life until 100 or more, maybe 120, so she can still meet her grandchildren's children and be proof that people can indeed live a full 100 or even more years in a healthy condition. 

Two years from now, God willing, I will reach 60 too. I am going to join the older generation—the "golden age" people, as they say. With the current world condition and economy, it is actually amazing that we can reach old age and still look OK. 

People now look much younger than in the previous era. And I think, for a 58-year-old—despite the silver hair that I keep because dyeing it is too much trouble, so keeping it silvery is my best choice—I also look OK. 

The skin condition of my face is even so much better now; it almost looks babyish, how ironic 😅

I think we owe it to the advancement of technology and information that we are striving for a better quality of life. We are eating mindfully now, we also exercise, and we do not have to feel old or act a certain way because of our advanced age. That, I think, contributes to why we look much younger than our predecessors. 

What will the future hold? I don't know, but since I am a pragmatic optimist, I would love to think that this situation right now shall pass. Because we've been here before, right? Humankind has been through a lot—and a lot worse. And we do learn from our mistakes, right? Therefore, so far, nobody wants to start World War III, even the craziest ones. We know war will never be the solution; it only creates more problems and agony. We don't want that, do we?

So this is my birthday wish: may I grow older, richer (more and more money is always best, haha), happier, healthier, lovelier and saner. May the world heal fast so we can enjoy wonderful, brighter days ahead. 

Happy wonderful birthday, Ge!