Had this big family thing to celebrate the matriarch’s upcoming birthday. As with all events involving my family, lots of unneccesary drama in the runup to the gathering. At the end, i guess all’s well that ends well.
Taking a step back, i saw my mom with her kids, son/daughter-in-laws (except for one who was single - moi! moi!) and bunch of grandkids. I was thinking, if having people around to celebrate your milestones is the measure of a life well-lived, then perhaps my mum didnt do too badly.
First time ever, i was The Man, as the meal was my treat (faux pas - did not realise there was no service charge and hence had failed to tip the staff!).
Feel esp guilty about not tipping as staff sorta made my day … they asked me if i was celebrating my grandmother’s birthday. There were 3 generations at the gathering: my parent, my siblings and the grandkids. To think that they thought i fit into the 3rd generation rather than the 2nd was amusing, since i am 18 yrs older than the oldest grandchild!
The thing that got me thinking at the end was a casual observation. Noticed that my eldest brother’s hair looked a lil different. Then figured out that it was cos he had puffed it up a lil to cover the balding patches. It hit me. My eldest brother is a few years away from hitting 50!
In my 30s, i have nothing to show for my time on earth. When i hit 50 - if i survive till then - what will i have to show for it?