Being octogenarian
By Lee Sun-ho
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Bidding farewell to 2019, I know I have lived on this planet for a full 80 years since I was born Oct. 11, 1939. The most-commonly-used measure for population statistics is the life expectancy at birth (LEB). The LEB of Koreans born during 2018 was estimated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to be 82.7 (79.7 for male and 85.7 for female), two years above the average of the 29 OECD member nations.
The secret that my contemporary octogenarians share is that despite the senility of their bodies, they feel they have not changed at all. They have the tendency to be proud of having survived so long and not being ashamed of being old. Many of them seem to have the hope of hearing others say: “You look so young for your age.”
Old age, of course, is accompanied by aches, pains and lack of mobility. In my surroundings, people of more or less 80 are often near-sighted, even blind, also deaf, bald or gray, and they often walk with difficulty. Yet there is no need to be dignified to attain these results in this ever-changing glocal (global+local) village in which they live.
By 80 people are reconciled to their fate. They eat what they like, wear what is comfortable, make sure the bathroom mirror is flattering, and get on with their lives. Being old in the 21st century is their great fortune. I know I am lucky, so for that I must be thankful. My contemporaries have the internet and convenient mobile phone devices to be able to overcome their reluctance. I feel privileged to be in a wishful position on my acquired knowledge and experience to younger generations. I am pretty new to being 80, but I feel no sense of attainment. Reaching a venerable age can no longer be viewed as an achievement or a momentous occasion.
Even though life certainly does not begin at 80 and it must soon be coming an end, so far my 80th year has been so blissful, since I have had a blessed life, doing things I thoroughly enjoyed. Frankly, I fear only the possibility of lingering pains and illness, and becoming decrepit and a burden on my family. However, I have no fear of death whether or not there is an afterlife, and neither should any other octogenarians.
Recently, I happened to see a couple of memes explaining a human life cycle. It says that at 81 years old, success is to know the way back home, and at 86 years old, success is not to urinate one's pants again. Any historical instances might be the best way to predict the future, while understanding only the present is the way it is.
Whether the twilight period for living to one's centennial has come already, I think it would be appropriate for me to “Treat myself well and cherish others,” so long as my personal situation is allowed, as asserted by Steve Jobs from his death bed. Good bye 2019, the year of the pig, and welcome the start of my octogenarian status.
The writer (kexim2@unitel.co.kr) is a columnist living in Seoul.