RIFLE RANGE BOY: hill

The world is your oyster. Too bad for vegetarians! ©FG

A few weeks ago, I met up with an old friend who had been under the weather of late after being under the barrage of attack of the unfriendly crab, which seems to have attacked his immune system. His account of life is one of melancholy and hopelessness.

After retirement from Government service as a medical officer, he let life slip by. An occasional part-time job here and there, biking trip every now and then, that was it. His life had been dragging its feet at a snail's pace, then this.

At the hospital, he lamented how people ask him to rest with his illness as if he was doing anything else after his retirement. He never owned a mobile phone and does not believe in going online. He keeps thinking the digital world is a just fad. He can only be contacted on a landline! And he continues in his grumpy, miserable and lifeless life living day by day and counting.

On the other spectrum, I met a group of retirees who embrace life with a renewed zest after performing their worldly family duties. As their children leave their nest one by one to embark on their life journeys, the seniors suddenly found a lot of time on their hands as well as energy and health to go with it.

With their small group of similarly minded friends, they have decided to go places, literally. They have adapted to the digital world, created social media groups to share their likes and opinions. Together, they explore on foot to enjoy the splendour of nature. Trekking, visiting new places the world over and fulfilling their visual and gustatory gratifications are their new craze.

As long there is the will! ©FG

Over the weekend, my group of friends were invited to partake in their outstation trip, a hike up a Bukit Mor in Muar, Johor. After the planned hike up and safe return, they gathered around to engage in friendly banters and heckling, reminiscing their previous outings. This was followed by a sampling of delicacies of the towns. A walkabout town and appreciating the history, buildings, understanding the regional culture, relishing the smells around town and doing what the locals do.

Life is what you make; you can take it by the horns, pull its tail, run away from it or make a world out of it. Choose your pick!