Jaime Pimentel – SENIOR MOMENTS – It was back to school again last month, January 2015. No, that was not for the young ’uns at kindergarten, they followed a little later. That was for one old geezer: me.
Now there’s a bit of leadership for you.
I enrolled at the newly established Life Changing College (fancy name, huh) for a diploma in business-management. The college, based at Blacktown, is co-owned by a Filipina. And bless my luck, I have an attractive Filipina for a teacher.
Why was my going back to school so significant, you ask? Well, it occurred to me that young people have taken the edge off our community elders’ leadership and it was time, at least for me, to turn things around.
My family, for example, has gradually been led by my offspring and grandchildren as I take a back seat to almost any activity. More and more I’m reduced to becoming a spectator rather than player. At my age, I’m not even allowed to coach.
“Just sit back and enjoy watching, pop,” they’d say. And often I have accepted slipping back into a comfort zone, especially in my retirement.
But I miss being in the thick of things around the family; miss looking important, making a big difference to people that matter most to me. I miss the action.
It’s a frustrating place to be.
It seems strange that we push our youth to acquire skills and experience but, in our old age, often fail to lead them by example. On the contrary, we draw back.
Old geezers like me, after having gained a wealth of knowledge and so much expertise, often allow ourselves to be relegated to the fringes of our families, communities, and society.
All too often we end up becoming mere pawns and a burden to our youth. Many of us, I refer to retired seniors like me, develop into grumpy old men. And we probably blame the system for our misery.
No sooner had I retired at age 80 last year and had all the time to myself than I started to sleep longer, tire easily, feel more moody, and get in the way of my loving wife at home. Bless her for staying patient and understanding.
The meagre pension that our government reluctantly hands out every fortnight has further forced me to cut down painfully on little luxuries I had enjoyed but taken for granted.
Hey, I’m not complaining. I’m alive aren’t I, and living in the best country in the world after The Philippines. Just writing a column to soothe my ageing ego. Man’s gotta pull no punches, eykay?
When some of us old geezers get together in a pow-wow, you’d be surprised what great ideas we come up with: We find solutions to crises around the world. We write and rewrite laws of the land, tell Australia’s soccer coach how to fare better at the next World Cup, how Manny Pacquiao will put the lights out of Floyd Mayweather in May.
If only the right people cared to listen.
I therefore propose to form a males-only organisation of Filipino-Australian senior citizens in Sydney.
OH no, not another Filipino organisation in Sydney! The community is already bursting at the seams with sports clubs, performing arts clubs, religious clubs, business clubs, professional clubs, entertainment promotions businesses,, provincial groups, regional groups, gay and lesbian groups, peak bodies, youth groups, and yes, seniors clubs.
I want to call this circle of elders ~ men only, mind you ~ the Retired Aged Men’s Boardroom of Sydney.
R.A.M.B.O.S. for short.
No formal structure, no fast regulations. All you have be is a Filipino-Australian, at least 60 years of age and keen to regain his position as leader of the pack. Meetings will be fortnightly with no agenda. Contact jaimekpimentel@live.com for details.
Otherwise, forget everything I have just said and get on with the rest of your life.
Ayos