Don’t laugh; your turn will definitely come as it did mine now as I recalled a time back when I giggled quietly to myself at this ‘old man’ polo shirt which read “Life Begins At Fifty”; and now it’s some other young punks who’s sniggling at me now! Such is this circle of life and while I still don’t quite ‘feel my age’ thanks to good genes and being truly blessed with excellent health and fitness (an active lifestyle, home-cooked meals and health supplements didn’t hurt either); I nonetheless hate the balding old guy staring at me in the mirror. I know that true beauty is within and the measure of a man is his character and integrity but in this increasingly materialistic and superficial world – looks is all that mattered. Or so it seems. *sigh* Somehow I’m still (stupidly) bonded by this stupidity even though I had long come to terms with accepting and loving myself for who I am. Well, mostly.
Now that I have hit the ‘big Five-O’ as my kayaking soulmate Huey puts it and advised by fellow childhood classmate and good old dear friend Edmund Song, that for the first half of our life, we work for ‘success’ (however you define it to be); so from now onwards we should now work on ‘significance’ in our lives. And the journey continues and I trust that I’ll remember the hard-earned (and painful) lessons learned along the way as I work on the ‘significance’ henceforth. So much time has passed and water had flowed under the bridge as they say. A lot of memories - some sublime while others still give me the twitch! And I’m truly grateful for the blessings I’d received over the last 5 decades – I still have my wife, family, friends, health and peace of mind. And I can still physically do what I’m passionate about - kayaking. I don’t think a man could ask for more.
Meanwhile I’ll keep on paddling and if you’ll excuse me, I would like to go for a quiet paddle now on the river next to my house and catch the sunrise as I turn 50! I send you all my love. Be Well.
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
stp sang this song to me on my birthday so i’m going to sing it to u today!
Happy birthday tu-eyew (lard), why ur hair is so few? Maybe u too fong-liu…Happy birthday tu-eyew!
Happy Birthday! Many happy returns! ..keep on kayaking ya!
Happy Birthday Unker! I guess I’m jealous, you’re younger than me!
TQ wuching (nice song) and geoffrey!
lou - we’re only a whisker apart!
Besides a personal sms birthday wish early this morning (TQ dear, u know who u are!)I also receive sms birthday wishes from my banks and the handphone company as well as a birthday song call from ‘em!! This sort of thing is unimaginable years ago … *sigh*
Happy half-a-century, Francis. You’re still the coolest 50-year-old I know in Kuching. 50? Nah… I always thought you’re half your age.
Thanks for being a great company and happy birthday.
Many happy returns, Francis! 50? Unbelievable. You make some of us (somewhat) younger folk look really bad…
OMG, I thought you’re just 30 something plus. Man, look can be deceiving.
Happy birthday and many happy returns!
Happy Birthday FH2O!!!!
Wow…sudah lama i didnt read your blog and of all the day, today!, i manage to, right on the spot ha.
Keep on kayaking…dun forget our date next february.
Next year, u come climb mt. Kinabalu with us, okay?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANCIS!!!!
Yeah-yeah..I’m going to be 50 soon too…hehehe.
See you in Feb and see you at the top of Mt. Kinabalu!
Happy birthday man!
You are my mentor in the ‘art of kayaking’. Hopefully, as I get to know you better, you’ll throw me some pointers in the art of life as well.
You are twice my age, so I’m assuming there’s twice the knowledge and experience. Haha!
HAPPY 50th - eh eh, sorry, wrong!! - 15th BIRTHDAY UNKER!!
Happy Birthday to you too FH2O. I just turned 39 today.
Happy Birthday!
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY UNKER!!!
wow… i tot u were 40-ish…
May u be blessed with health and happiness!
Turning 50 on a kayak somewhere on a river is a truly ’significance’ moment in life. The same time a homage and defiance to life and nature…
Wishing you another 50 years of paddling !!!
HAppy birthday !
Happy birthday, unker
FH2O, I was going to invite you over to view the post I did up for you. Guess you read my mind.
Happy Birthday again and many happy returns.
A BIG THANK YOU to you all for the lovely birthday wishes! Somehow I don’t feel ‘old’ with such good cheers!
Wah!! Uncle!! I never realised that you’re 50 years old, you memang deserve the title of Uncle
Your now also officialy halt the “pitan nui” age
Congratulatinos, 50 more years and you’re a “pitan nui” (century egg) hehehehe
For a 50 years old, uncle is a really great and sporting guy, full of life and energy and very very sporting..unlike some 50 or over 50 years old I know..actually, unlike some 40 something people I know also!!
Kudo’s uncle and a very very long and sporting and lovely life ahead to you.
cheers
NO WAY!!!
Francis, You must be kidding!
Are you serious that you are 50? Because absolutely you don’t look like one, seriously.. seriously.. seriously!!!
Oh well, though your age is 1/2 of the century but I know that beside your look, your heart is also still like the youth, young inside and outside
Happy belated birthday, Francis!
I trust you had a wonderful b’day yesterday…
Happy Birthday! Here’s to the next 50.
Definately looking good at 50!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Thank you QV, selba, panda and iml for your good wishes and kind comments!
Yes I’m seriously good looking at 50! And looking forward to the next 50! haha!