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The
Gift Of Age is a book written by already-old
Singaporeans for Singaporeans who are growing old, as well
as for the younger generation. It dishes out timely advice
on how to age gracefully. Twenty-eight local celebrities,
whose names appear to the left of this article, share their
experiences in growing old.
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Reading
each story is akin to taking a dose of vitamin supplements.
It perks up your senses and rejuvenates your desire to live a
fuller life straightaway - you do not need to grow old in
order to act on the generous advice given in the book. If
you are in doubt, read this:
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"You
begin to notice that girls stop turning to look at you over
their shoulder with a wicked look in their eye. Then, you
realise that even if they did, you're too old to do anything
about it." (Mike Ellery)
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"Your circle of friends and acquaintances grows smaller
and smaller as you outlast them. That can be boring"
(Mike Ellery)
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"Suddenly you are seeing more of your family. If you
don't make yourself a nuisance, they probably welcome having
you around. Besides, you'll make a good babysitter!"
(Mike Ellery)
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"Hand in hand, the little girl and the old man
walked...the little girl took him to the playground and made
him sit on a bench. She went and grabbed a swing. As she
swung herself so high in that blue sky, the old man swung
himself too. He was like her. He was seven. And as they
swung their different swings, a little smile played on the
old man's lips." (Kirpal Singh)
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"To
all you young ones who have no time for the old, I say,
'Don't pity us, the grandfathers and grandmothers of this
world. In fact, I pity you - because you have to wait so
long to taste the fullness and the extreme happiness that
comes with being a grandparent.' (David Kraal)
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"I
am driven by the knowledge that life is too short for
idleness and that in my life as an educator, I didn't have
enough time to do my own artwork. Now I have no other
responsibility and so I happily try to fit a lifetime into
whatever years are still ahead." (Joseph McNally)
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In
publishing The Gift Of Age, the Retired & Senior
Volunteer Programme (Singapore) seeks to challenge the view
that older people are a liability in the community. In
reviewing this book, I was obliged to lift a few sentences
here and there and quote them here, for these sentences
describe The Gift Of Age more eloquently than any reviewer
can describe this gift of age, and of being able to age
gracefully.
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The Gift Of
Age ISBN 981 232 213 2 Published by RSVP Singapore in 2001
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A Book
Review by Raymond HAN
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Book Review: The Gift Of Age
