走过年轻时代步入中年，孩子毕业后步入社会，感觉到担子慢慢减轻了，不仅在想下半生应该怎么过？这是一个相当严肃的问题。
五十、六十、七十、八十、九十…。四十多岁是人生的中途，五十岁是下半生的开始，精神及体力已大不如前，然而智慧及财力则有过之而无不及。
从事建筑业的朋友周剑昭人到中年事业有成，在目前经济不景气的年代依然弹药充足，干脆过着半退休的生活。
除了到处旅游之外，闲暇时弹奏乐器，太太是知音。他向来事业与家庭兼顾，在众人皆醉我独醒的情况下脚踏实地生活，我们打从心里佩服他。
另一位即将步入六十岁的直销界朋友陈万吉曾经数度在事业上面临大起大落，即使在最失落的时候，对华文小学依然不离不弃，只顾付出不问回报。
最近到处经济萧条，他的事业却如日中天，甚至进一步发展至中东，夫妻俩终于熬过寒冬，进入丰收期，我们在心里默默祝福他们：好心有好报，越老越好！
何克赞夫妇是另一对在华小家教协会认识的朋友，淡薄名利，正直不阿是他们给我留下的印象。
过去从事运输业，高龄七十依然身强力壮，搬搬抬抬不是问题。
最近孩子青出于蓝更胜于蓝，媳妇孝顺邀他们同住，两老乐得含饴弄孙过退休生活。
我的双亲皆年过八十，父亲壮年时患上心脏病及高血压，当时孩子又多又小，有感于责任重大，从此在饮食起居方面严格律己，过着淡雅规律的生活，目前依然健康良好。
母亲则在十多年前患上各种文明病，坚强的性格从不诉苦，新年前跌断腿，在新年期间腿伤引起其他并发症入院。
我们在心惊胆跳情况下过完新年，每天祈祷她长命百岁，身体早日康复。
我们将如何度过这些未来岁月呢？
曾经担心过，然而发生在身边朋友及亲人的一切给了我们不少提示：以正面的态度对未来抱着希望，把自己的经济、身体及心灵顾好，关怀身边的人与事，年纪大已经不是问题。
Parenthood may be a pleasure though not an easy task. But as the years advance and children start to leave home, an empty nest syndrome can start to build-up. It makes one ponder about the next phase of life.
After reaching middle age from 50 onwards to 60, 70, 80 or even to a ripe old age of 90, you will go into a physical and mental decline. For many people, the secret of a satisfying old age can be combination of an active mind in a sound body.
Take the case of my good friend ?Chow Khim Chew who is in his early fifties. Retirement need not mean of narrowing horizons as he has done well in life and with the new found leisure, Chow and wife travel abroad often. He enjoys playing Chinese and Western musical instrument and his wife provides good companionship. We always look up to him as he has run his business to a good level and being middle-age, he is not too old to reap the benefits of a loving family relationship.
But another friend Kennedy Tan involved in direct sales is not so lucky after making a fortune a decade ago, he went through a lot of turmoil. Now approaching sixty, he can look back at those unhappy times. But during the worst crisis period, he was not dampened in spirits and continued to put in a lot of efforts for the Chinese education issue of primary schools. He asked for no benefits but today even with world economic gloom everywhere, he and wife are both doing very well locally and expanding their business to the Middle East. Optimists are happy people who expect good things to happen.
More and more people are taking their pre-retirement skills to voluntary organizations and our friends, both Mr. & Mrs. Ho are remaining active in the PTA and they are well into their seventies. Both are very sprightly and can testify to the truth that old age need not be filled with depression. Their son is holding a fine job and lives with the parents. Daughter-in-law is a lady laced with filial piety gestures.
My parents are now into their eighties. When my father was young, he suffered a heart problem and had hypertension. But with a brood of children to care, he paid careful attention to his diet and medication. Thinking positively about health has helped him to keep sickness at bay or working to cure it when it arises.
More than 10 years ago, my mother started to be affected by all the illnesses of present day issue. With a strong character, she tries not to fuss over pains. But this CNY, she suffered a hip fracture and was hospitalized. We spent an uneasy CNY and prayed for her quick recovery. Let us hope she will have many more happy, healthy years to come.
Both of us are now preparing ourselves for healthy and active old age. Financially, we should remain independent as long as possible. Being in good health physically and emotionally can help us to enjoy our coming golden years.
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