I was just reading this article in malaysiakini. It painted a gloomy picture of life, reminding us of our inescapable mortality. Life it seems becomes irrelevant with the penultimate destination being death.

Our daily routine it seems is only a mere distraction. Our bodies occupying only a speck in the spectrum of time. I once read that after 30, one's body starts degenerating. This figure it appears is a point of no return. The journey to death it seems has begun.

The lesson is perhaps the appreciation of life. Examinations, presentations, ward rounds and clinics will then only seem a blurry sideshow in life. Perhaps the only reward is enriching another life and procreation. Even that is short term as much will be forgotten many generations down the road.

So why are we here? I would like to believe that this journey is perhaps necessary, experiencing the essence of living on a isolated planet. Learning lessons that may be useful in future afterlife endeavours perhaps. Just as the universe is beyond comprehension, so is life.

So my friends, maybe we should step back awhile and look at our lives and appreciate the few people that will probably remember you for the rest of their lives. That will be the only imprint we will eventually leave behind.

See this Petronas advertisement

A common and recurring story. Sometimes, as a doctor, I often question why the elderly folks remain stubborn and adamant on staying alone when we all know they can hardly take basic care of themselves.

Elderly folks are silent observers. A life of experience has sensitised them to many yet unforseen or brewing problems. Even more when it concerns the people that they have seen growing up, understanding these young souls perhaps more than the young themselves could ever comprehend.

As pointed out in the advertisement, we are all going to grow old and will one day occupy the shoes of the "invalid", plagued by physical handicaps or incontinence. Our future generations will one day be taking care of us, the way we once took care of our old folks.

So the next time, you see an elderly folk, remember, they are our SENIOR citizens, a class that speaks experience and sacrifice. Give them that due respect and listen to what they have to say.

Related story
NST : The song goes on for hospital’s forgotten few