April 5, 2015
(The Star) – The late Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis posted
this touching message a few days ago via WhatsApp to his acquaintances. The
Rompin MP was among six people killed in a helicopter crash in Semenyih on
Saturday afternoon.
AND THEN IT IS WINTER
You know … time has a way of moving quickly and catching you
unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just
married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like
eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.
I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.
But, here it is… the “back nine” of my life and it catches
me by surprise… How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where
did my youth go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and
thinking that those older people were years away from me and that “I was only
on the first hole” and the “back nine” was so far off that I could not fathom
it or imagine fully what it would be like.
But, here it is … my friends are retired and getting grey…
they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some
worse shape than me… but, I see the great change … Not like the ones that I
remember who were young and vibrant … but, like me, their age is beginning to
show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought
we’d become.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real
target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore … it’s mandatory!
‘Cause if I don’t on my own free will … I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so … now I enter into this new season of my life
unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to
go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know,
that though I’m on the “back nine”, and I’m not sure how long it will last …
this I know, that when it’s over on this earth … it’s over. A new adventure
will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn’t done … things
I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done.
It’s all in a lifetime.
So, if you’re not on the “back nine” yet … let me remind
you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to
accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long!!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure
whether you’re on the “back nine” or not!
You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of
your life … so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved
ones to remember … and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the
things that you have done for them in all the years past!!
“Life” is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your
gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY
TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember “It is health that
is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2015!
LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS: Your kids are becoming you …. but
your grandchildren are perfect! Going out is good … Coming home is better! You
forget names …. But it’s OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
You realize you’re never going to be really good at anything … especially golf.
The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do
care that you don’t care to do them anymore. You sleep better on a lounge chair
with the TV blaring than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep”. You miss the days
when everything worked with just an “ON” and “OFF” switch…You tend to use more
4 letter words … “what?”…”when?”…” ??? Now that you can afford expensive
jewellery, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere. You notice everything they sell
in stores is “sleeveless”?!!! What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
Everybody whispers. You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet … 2 of which you
will never wear. But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and
best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, “OLD FRIEND!” Send this on to other “Old
Friends!” and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!! It’s Not What You Gather, But What
You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.
TODAY IS THE OLDEST
YOU’VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU’LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY ..
Al Fatihah buat Allahyarham Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis ...
