As we get on with the years, reality teaches us a few hard lessons.

We discover that the world never turns the way we would like or expect it to.

Neither do the people around us, including our families and co–workers (if we have jobs) move the way we expect them to and the events of our life... well, it’s a long story which rarely, if ever, has a happy ending.

So today, in my 60–plus year — which I still have to come to terms with, that is — being a sestuagenarian — the realization has suddenly dawned on me that I am a senior citizen, at the threshold of being classified as "old."

I even have come to terms with the fact that unlike my generation, my peers and I have agreed that we cannot count on our children to take care of us in our old age.

That, in fact, we must prepare for that time in life when we shall have retired and losing the security of a monthly wage, must rely probably on whatever retirement stipend we shall receive from the SSS (or GSIS).

We know that the pittance shall never be enough for pay for our doctors and medications (which "old" folks are often plaqued with) nor even for groceries.

So rather than to beg later on, even today we must juggle our finances so that somehow we can set aside a little "extra" that we can deposit in the bank not just for a "rainy day" but for the rest of our natural life.

We expect, naturally, to live a long and hopefully happy life surrounded by family and friends.

We may not be as well off as many of my friends but we have a comfortable life, such that we can afford even to help the children with their occasional financial crises.

Why, I wonder, do they have so many crises that I never experienced before? And to think that they earn much much more than I do!

Now, don’t get me wrong. Life has blessed me with a few bonuses that come with "old" age.

One is the senior card, a wonderful benefit for people who are 60 years old and above. With the senior card, one gets a 20 percent discount off the bill in restaurants, off the hospital and doctor’s bills, and the movie house.

If one is a resident of Makati City, senior citizens can watch a movie in Makati for FREE! And expect a R1000 cash gift and a birthday cake…. Thank you, Mayor Jejomar Binay.

All we lack now is a free ride on the MRT, LRT, and PNR train.

Another blessing is being grandmother to an eight-year-old girl and a robust toddler who, I think, adore their "Mama Ethel" or rather … the spoiling they get from moi.

I have been promising myself to retire, so I can spend the rest of my life travelling the world in an adventure of discovery... not that there is much left for me to "discover" since I’ve roamed the globe in the best possible way, that is … by invitation.

Ergo, my airline tickets, hotel, tours, were all sponsored — lucky me!

Considering all that, what else is there for me to wish for?

We wish, of course, for continued good health. My health has not been perfect — being a diabetic and recently, diagnosed with colon cancer, an inherited curse as I was told.

The cancer for now has disappeared or gone into remission or been healed, thanks to the prayers of thousands of friends and fellow Christians and to the good doctors of St. Luke’s Medical Center.

As I breathe a sigh of relief, I wonder how many more years have I left?

It is a question asked by millions before me which never received an answer unless one were stricken with a dread disease with a definite expected lifespan.

Many friends say they would prefer that — the long–drawn death sentence of a dread disease because it would at least give them "time to prepare" and to be able to settle matters so the government doesn’t get everything … and to mend fences.

But outweighing this preparedness is the fear of pain and the anticipated "last breath."

Most still prefer the sudden recall, the instant "drop dead"scenario of a fatal stroke or heart attack or an accident when one is gone in a split second.

But how does one tip the scale? Which way is better?

I believe it best and practical always to be prepared even today while one is alive and healthy, anticipating many tomorrows.

Definitely, one must always be prepared spiritually. We need to choose now which roadmap to take into the After Life — oh, you know what I mean.

A HAPPY, BLESSED NEW YEAR!