Newsletter Spring 2007 | page 4 of 4 | |
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In the last newsletter I wrote about music. This time I will write about old age.
Now officially, old age begins at 66 years old in Ireland. In Holland it starts at 65!
Although this page is mainly written for young people, you can still read it because you will be old one day, and might like to know how it will be.
Now the bad news first:
Of course there are problems. Most of my hair is gone, and what is left is grey. I need glasses for reading, and I lost some of my teeth. And I don't sleep soundly anymore like a child.
And there could be more problems if you are unlucky. With your kidneys, or worn out joints and so on. And then you could have trouble with your heart or lungs, especially if you smoked.
Now that is about your body, and your mind could be affected too. I notice that my grandchildren are quicker at games than I am. Only soccer and cycling can I still do better.
Now comes the good news:
I am 70 years of age now and as happy as ever I was. I can do most things I used to do, only slower. I don't have to work any more, but if I like to do it I can. Picking fruit is a great job, and I am looking forward to the new season.
When I work I am very conscientious, because I like my work. I am like John Anthony Hally, who bales our straw and hay. He makes every bale like it was the first one he ever made. I do the same when I prune a tree.
Financially, I am well looked after. I get a pension, and I have a medical card. I can travel free on the train or bus, and I get some free electricity, and also a TV license. I have a house and a car.
When I was young I had more worries. I needed to be good at school. I wanted to be good at sports, and I wanted a family.
I have all these now, and I have been lucky. I have had an interesting life, and I very likely will live on for another while.
Now if you are reading this, you might wonder what older people would like from you. I think it is nice if young people have good manners and are patient with me.
Of course I am old now and will die. Like many of my neighbours and friends have died already. I could make a list of them.
But the thought of dying does not worry me that much. I live today and tomorrow is another day. Anyway, when I read the death notices in the papers, I read that most people die peacefully.
So I hope we now will enjoy the summer.
Now for the competition, which is open to anyone up to and including 12 years old. First prize is a ?20.00 Easons voucher, and the runner(s) up get a
€10.00 voucher for use at our farm shop.
Competition questions:
Q.1 According to the bible, who is the oldest person ever to have lived?
(The answer is not in the newsletter).
Q.2 Who was a person who had no bellybutton? (Think about the first people in the bible).
Q.3 When do people officially become old in Holland?
Send your answers before June 8th, 2007 to:
Spring competition,
The Apple Farm,
Moorstown,
Cahir,
Co. Tipperary.
Previous competition winners:
Well done to our competition entrants in Autumn last. You should have received your prizes just before Christmas.
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