Life begins at 80!

(Last week August 19, I visited my friend Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For several years we were involved in many affairs of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences. He is now 85. He gave me this paper with a big smile!)

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I have good news for you.
The first 80 years are the hardest. The second 80 are a succession of Birthday Parties.
Once you reach 80 everybody wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps.
If you forget your name, or anybody else’s name, or an appointment, or promise to be in three places at a time…you need only explain you are 80.

Being 80 is a lot better than being 70.
At 70 people are mad with you for everything.
At 80 you have a perfect excuse no matter what you do.
Even if you should act foolishly, it’s only your second childhood.

Being 70 is no fun at all.
At this age, they want you to keep quiet, and stop complaining about your arthritis (they used to call it lumbago).
And you, you ask everybody to stop mumbling — because you can’t understand them (actually your hearing is about 50% gone).
If you survive until 80, everybody is surprised at your good looks. They treat you with respect, just for having lived so long. Actually, some are surprised that you can walk and…remember your age…

So please, folks, try to make it to 80.
It’s the best time of life.
People forgive you for anything.
If you ask me, life begins at 80!