When I'm 64
- Peter Kam Fai Cheung SBS
- May 15, 2018
- 1 min read
Nearly 50 years ago when I sang the Beatles' song "When I'm 64", I thought I had all the time in the world. When I was 50 and worked both the Hong Kong and Geneva office hours, I was told my hair had all turned white. Some 10 years ago when something acute happened to my eyes, I had my first thought of retirement.
I was born today 64 years ago and have not worked the routine office hours for four years. Should I be content with doing the garden, or overhauling my cars? I believe the world is much bigger than that and have made it a discipline of mine to experience sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches by travelling at least once a month.
I am fortunate enough to be able to reach this milestone age, as my late wife and some others who came into my life had to be forever young. In my heart, they have been living on and on. While I would sometimes ask myself: "Am I still needed?", I am pleased to report that I am still a value centre in some quarters.
Although I have not been serious about the number of my age or "birthdays", I thank my sincerelys' best wishes. I should say I dislike the kindergarten "Happy Birthday" song though, as I have written a better version of it. "...Make good wishes - dreams (I) would chase. Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday to (me)!"