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| Straits Times – 19 Jan ’11 |
Remember those lines? We used to write them in our classmates’ autograph books as a reminder to keep in touch after high school. Sadly, we can now recall only a few faces and even fewer names. And when we finally make contact, it is to learn that a former classmate has passed on, another is battling cancer and yet another is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Fortunately, there are friends who are still hale and hearty, and enjoying their second prime of life.
As we move into our retirement years, some of us may find ourselves living alone. Our spouse may no longer be with us, and our children have long left the family nest. Good friends provide an important support system that keeps us going. They help to fill the void. They are our travelling companions, partners-in-adventure, and pillars of strength in our times of need.
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| Me and Kemmy on New Year’s Eve – friends for more than 30 years! Our children have become firm friends as well. |
Having friends is good for our mental health too. Much as I enjoy my moments of solitude, I can’t imagine a life where I have only myself or my cat for company. Loneliness can slowly develop into depression over the years. And that is something I want to avoid like the plague!
The next time you get an invitation to a class reunion or a small get-together of former school buddies, don’t turn it down. At our age, who can tell when we will ever get another opportunity to rekindle old friendships again.
Here’s to OLD FRIENDS everywhere.