Growing Old With Grace

Seated inside a bus and looking at the window, I can't help but notice the many trees lined up along the road from the province of Lamphun going to the city of Chiang Mai. Each and every tree was wrapped with a saffron cloth and tied with a bow. The religious implication was just so vivid. Each and every tree can possibly be hugged by three or four friends joining hands together. The trees stand for its beauty, its strength and its grand old age.

My life had not been a whirlwind of activities or event-full of grandeur. My life had been simple and quiet. I had met some people who from a very young age, lived their lives to the fullest enjoying each moment. I had met some people who had aged but still pinning for that hope to live their lives. I had met some who goes uphill and downhill as they search for the meanings of their lives.

When we search the meaning of our existence, we gather through the years experiences that will help us stand firm and strong. As we age, we then become wiser yet our body becomes weak or sickly. When we die, we make it a point that someone along the road, we had made an impression.

I am one of those trees because I knew from the many stories I heard and from the many people I extended my support and help that I am also a revered friend to them. I may not be wrapped by saffron cloth for protection nor tied and chanted with prayers nor hugged to see how my existence had been beneficial to others. Yet I knew that when someone takes a short trip along his or her own undertakings and reminisce, the shadows of my generosity and wisdom linger to their lives, now.

While living, we should strive to be of importance to many people and not just to our family. Our being a person should be marked with beauty, strength and wisdom. When we grow older, we should grow with magnitude and grace. The trees I saw became good examples to how I should be living today.