Sunday, February 15, 2009

WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME WHEN I'M 64?


Happy Valentine’s Day to all senior couples celebrating this day. I think the happiest people today are probably those who make a bundle catering to couples who believe that love can be measured by how much they are willing to splurge on each other.


Prices have skyrocketed for roses and chocolate. Restaurants charge grossly inflated prices from RM328++ to as much as RM1000++ for a romantic candlelight dinner for two. I read of a hotel offering its most luxurious suite for RM23,000 for a night’s stay, complete with 100 stalks of roses and a violinist. In financially lean times like these, such indulgence would definitely be viewed as bad taste. In some countries, Anti-Valentine's Day protests are not uncommon.


On a lighter note, last Monday (February 9) was Chap Goh Mei aka the fifteenth and final night of the Lunar New Year. It was also the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day. In Malaysia, this special night is celebrated with a fun-filled tradition. Single Chinese ladies would write their contact number on mandarin oranges before throwing them into the lake or sea in the hope of finding a partner.

Finding true love in a banana - or an orange!

The men would do the same, but with bananas. They would then scramble into the water to pick up the oranges in the hope that one of the oranges would lead them to their dream girl. However, not many girls would want to be seen fishing out bananas from the water. That would mean they were desperate for a man. Ah, the games that people play!


Love oranges for the picking.


Pardon me if I sound a tad cynical. To me, love should be expressed every day, not just on one special day of the year. Love can be demonstrated in so many ways, not necessarily with a price tag attached. And love is for all, not just for the young as often portrayed in the media.


This is what love is all about. It took this woman 20 minutes to move a short distance with the aid of her husband of 41 years. Young lovers take note. (Nava - Starpic)


For all the seniors out there who are single and available, don't lose hope of finding that special someone. Love comes softly when you least expect it. Wouldn't it be wonderful to hear that someone say these words:

Grow old with me! The best is yet to be.
~Robert Browning~

Loving each other every day for the rest of our lives.


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