This is a typical scene when there’s a huge gathering at my grandparents’. The elderly all gather in the garage. The grandpas play poker, the grandmas play mahjong. The younger ones gather round the TV or tell stories in the dining room. The older you get though, the more you will find yourself moving out of the house and into the garage. Sometimes we grandkids have our own mahjong table where the stakes are low and play is just for fun.
The tradition has been this way for as long as I can remember. I wonder what my cousins and I will be doing when we’re in our 70s. Will the guys be taking up garage space, playing poker? Will we women be pro mahjong players on the other side of the garage? I really wonder.
Growing old scares me a little bit. While I know I want to age as gracefully as I can, old age seems so difficult. I’ll learn from these graceful ladies who play mahjong. They seem like they have the answers. Maybe they don’t even feel old. As long as the heart doesn’t age, we’ll all be young, right?
This reminds me of two songs that are timeless — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World.” They’re really old songs but they make one feel young. Classic. And I love Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s rendition. I’m sharing it with you below, just click on the play button.
Hope we all stay young at heart forever. 
[audio:http://dl2.musicwebtown.com/macaronigirl/playlists/193095/2137695.mp3|autostart=no|loop=no]
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Mimi
January 12, 2009 at 7:53 am (15 years ago)Not much of a comment, but this is really a lovely post. Thank you.
Mimis last blog post..Gift of Plenty: Aquaculture News
witsandnuts
January 12, 2009 at 12:23 pm (15 years ago)A great post to start the week. I dread the thought of growing old, too. But aging gracefully is exciting (and challenging!). And well, you look so young! Promise, you’re like in your early 20s when I saw you. =)
Em Dy
January 12, 2009 at 2:39 pm (15 years ago)The same thing happens in my family. It seems as if there are 2 or 3 groups meeting. The oldies swapping stories. My generation either sleeping or playing a game. The young ones playing.
Em Dys last blog post..There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
barbiegel
January 12, 2009 at 11:42 pm (15 years ago)napa-senti naman ako sa mga songs… gustong gusto ko rin ung dalawa na un …. haaayyyyy
kayni
January 13, 2009 at 4:28 am (15 years ago)me too, growing old SCARES me BIG TIME. i’m not so sure how to handle it, but i guess time will ease me through it.
kaynis last blog post..Christmas in Hawaii
Eper
January 13, 2009 at 8:14 am (15 years ago)I, too, am scared of growing old, in a way. But I would love the wisdom that comes with age
By the way, I love Israel’s version too!
Epers last blog post..Christian Ways to Reduce Stress
Kay
January 15, 2009 at 7:38 pm (15 years ago)growing old scares me because I do not know if I can take of the younger generation the way my Mom was able to …
Kays last blog post..I wish I was a kid again ….