Eighty-nine years. How did I get here? It felt so fast and quick like a flash of lightning. Here I am in the last quarter of my life, and I find myself surprised. I know I’ve lived through those years. Memories of the past come to me in glimpses. I recall how it was back then, when everything was just ‘on’ or ‘off’.
Where did my youth go? I will be ninety. Yet there are times when I remember when I was nine, with my parents and siblings facing the hardships of an occupied Kuala Belait during the Second World War
There are times when I remember myself as a student. I recall the laughter and joy I spent with my classmates and friends. We watched old movies and played simple games.
There are times when I remember myself as a young man. I pursued a career and family. I was chasing dreams and goals. And now, I am here, my children grown, my grandchildren thriving, and the fruits of my labour have been passed on to the communities I care about. Yet there is always more that I wish to leave behind. Time marches on, and I feel the weight of my age on my shoulders.
There is never enough time, even with all the success and joys that I had found, I still seek to strive, to learn, to become better. Yet time never stops. Sometimes it is slow. Other times, it is fast. Yet, it keeps going forwards. Life is much like this. It never quite stands still.
In these twilight years of mine, I reflect deeply. I think of the time that has simply gone. It has vanished and will never be seen again. Of the things that I cannot take with me to the beyond, and of the future that does not belong to me.
To my readers who are still young, treasure the time you have. It can be quick and fleeting. It can never be caught. For one day you will look back, maybe aged 60, 70, 80 or even a rich 100, you will wonder, “how did I get here?”
And you will want a good answer from your future self. “Here is all I have done, here is all that I will leave behind. Here is the life that I have lived and loved.”
Memories of The Way We Were 
You have such beautiful and amazing memories. I hope that in the last quarter of your life you will have a comfortable, healthy, happy and long life forever.
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Life is much like this. It never quite stands still.
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from: Anonymous 24 August 2025
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Received from Annonemouska via WhatsApp on 24/6/2025 <After reading your interesting publication, “Never Enough Time”, we would like to share some of our own journey. My husband and I are more at peace now than we were in our forties. In our forties, we just entered midlife. We went through challenging emotions as we were wondering if we had been on the right path. Despite our achievements, we asked if we should have approached things differently. We had the desire to try something new, yet we were too old to make a change. Moreover, our elder children had not graduated from university. So there was a sense of insecurity as we journeyed into the forties. Now that I am in my late fifties and my husband is in his mid-sixties, we have retired. He gave up his business last February. I, on the other hand, retired early to look after my parents. I am thankful for this opportunity, as I feel that I have fulfilled my obligation and continue to do so. The fact that I provide tuition makes me feel both young and professional. My husband is now doing a lot of gardening, and I am busy with my own work. Our children are doing fine, so we are content. To sum up, we feel more secure and at peace in our retirement years than when we were in our forties.
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Received the following great comment from Mr Jay Choo on 25 August 2025 via WhatApp as follows:
” When looking back, being just +30 years old, people often reflect on a sense of urgency, shifting priorities, and a realisation of limited time, which can lead to a desire to re-evaluate goals, focus on meaningful experiences, prioritise health and well-being, and seek deeper connections over chasing past aspirations.”
Best regards from Jay Choo 25 August 2025
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Received from our reader Annomemus via WhatsApp on August 27, 2025. Here is what she said in her comment.
<My first advice for the younger generation is that what people think or say about you does not determine your destiny. Also, a woman’s role in the family is so important. She is like “glue,” which keeps the family together. If you are a woman, you are multitasking every day. Therefore, life can be challenging as you need to keep everything in balance. However, being the “glue” of the family is a special role and a privilege. Your contributions are priceless. Take life one day at a time and focus on the big picture. Yes … the power of focus. Focus on bigger things. Learn to make small sacrifices at work and at home for a better outcome. Eventually, the struggles will pass. In the process, you become a better, more confident and more understanding person. I also believe in the power of prayer. God gave me the strength and peace to navigate challenging times, and He continues to look after me and my family to this day.>
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It was a wonderful sharing time; time flies so quickly, and it never feels like enough to accomplish all the things I want to do. Life is short and precious. If life could start over, I would spend more time with my parents while they are still alive.
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