Elderly inspiration has ignited once again so this update, hi and hello after a long while . . .

Many months have passed by and to my dismay, energy has not been forthcoming. I realized that with an elderly status comes also an elderly inspiration that is ignited not very often so now it has come, so this update.

Some points need to be expressed by this elderly if only to account for some of the reasons why life has not exactly been rosy.  This blog will focus on at least three:  1) climate change 2) retirement blues and 3) children up close and personal as they go about being professional.

First point: Climate Change - Who is not affected by this reality which we had refused to accept as happening until the rapid change of weather and the glaring effects that just hit us in the face make us agree it is in fact here to stay. Climate change makes us realize that the environment seems to have been fed up with all our negligence and irresponsibility that we have only ourselves to blame. Now, we have to finally come to grips with its impact and gradually learn again how to plant, transplant or begin again in other ways. In the Philippines, it is summer or dry season and once again it is hot and dry all over most of the places. At least in Bukidnon, the heat is bearable since it is cooler compared to cities like Cagayan de Oro. However, it is still safe to say that most of the areas reflects the results of Climate Change: unexpected high temperature and the like. We just end the discussion by saying that climate change in the positive sense is a time to change how we view our surroundings and Mother Earth. In a way we deserve what we are experiencing now so in the same vein of perspective we must take upon ourselves to do something proactive right in our homes and own backyards and gardens.

Second point: Retirement Blues - In the Philippines, the retirement year is 65 for public employees and at least 15 years of service to avail of GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) pension program ;  for private employees, at least 60 years of age and 10 years of payment to avail of SSS (Social Security System) pension program. The blues come when you may reach 65 but is not 15 years in service. In my case, I will be 65 next year but only 13 years of service so accordingly I cannot avail of the pension program. At least I avail of SSS but the monthly pension barely helps in that after paying for 20 years as a private employee way back 1975 to 1995, the premiums were very low so by the time I reached 60 and availed of the pension, it only amounted to four thousand pesos. Now that I am given the chance to work in government and now that the time has come for me to avail of the mandatory retirement by the time I reach 65, my number of years of service is only 13 so short of 2 years to reach the minimum! These are the blues and truly these are blues to bear because once you reach 65, only your retirement pension becomes your main source of income. No wonder, other retirees have begun their gardening interests which I have followed suit myself. I have not only begun flower gardening but planting fruit trees as we. At the moment my banana plants are fruit bearing at least 3 of them are proud of its fruits. To the young employees therefore, learn from my sad plight. Make sure you know your status and protect your future. Know GSIS and SSS this early.

Third point:  Children up close and personal as they go about their professional undertaking - This last point is very close to my heart. I have four children who are really in this status. I am looking at my own children from this vantage point and I can only shed a tear or two for the very good thing they are doing. If there is anything that parents are proud of it is to see their children grow up and become professionals. It is such a privilege to see them in their niche that all you can do is look up to God and be grateful for having them as my children and I hope the feeling is mutual that they are happy I am their mom and their Dad looking down on us from  where God has placed him be, is equally smiling for being their father. Fellow parents, this is a wake up call if your children go astray. Hold onto their goodness. do your best and let God do the rest. 

Elderly inspiration indeed may dwindle but I hope whatever is shared also serves as my inspiration to all of you  out there. To future elderly inspiration - may you come more often .  Thank you God for this inspiration.