As we age the opportunities in life disappear, as we remain carefree for a long part of our lives. The value of money at that time we don’t seem to know, nor the value of saving or investment. Instead, it is mostly about the satisfaction of yourself.
Your quest for satisfaction and enjoying all the pleasures that goes with it takes first place. You are quick to indulge, try-out this and that, experience all that seems attractive to you while time passes by and behold – you are now at a ripe age.
It then occurs to you that you are lonely, your children have gone, in some cases your love life is neither here, nor there. The house you built or the property you may have purchased in your heydays needs care and repair. The car in the driveway is now old and also needs repairs more frequently. Health conditions need a constant check-up, the utility bills don’t stop coming and the additional bills like insurances and road and driving licenses need to be added.
All that becomes a new concern and dealing with it may require additional income and sweat. But the job market has closed their doors to you and because of your age, the insurance companies and banks have decided to part friendship and doing business with you.
You can’t borrow, you can’t protect yourself or your assets, and liabilities remain and the job market is reserved for the younger generation.
As long as you are alive you will have wants and pertinent needs. Even the bill for your final resting place has to be put into the equation. Where does such help come from and what is the source of your security or sustainability? What fund was left in your name and what establishment will fight your cause? Does the government step in? Do your past employers still care after sending you home for your age?
What foot do you stand on when all opportunities are gone because you are now considered too-old for consideration?
It is sad when we don’t make hay while the sun shines, it is a pity we spend all that money on our children our lovers and our friends, and give as much as we can to the system, but what you put in is not always we get back.
If only we knew the hearts of our friends and family who prey alone, if only we had a crystal ball to know the future or that level of foresight, so many things would be different in our lives.
But as the local calypsonian Pelay sang, “If is a simple word, but we hardly pass a day without using it…”