A Picture of My Life: Six Interests That Keep Me Young at Heart
David at Nearing 92
“A life well lived is not measured only by the years we have lived, but also by the interests we continue to pursue, the people we love, and the memories we cherish.”
Recently, I asked ChatGPT to create a caricature of me and my beloved wife, Macrine, surrounded by six of my interests. The result was a colorful illustration in a warm, watercolor style. Looking at it, I realized that this was more than just a picture. In some ways, it was a small portrait of my life.
As I approach my 92nd birthday, I sometimes wonder how so many different interests have found a place in my life. I was born in a small town in the Philippines, studied chemistry at the University of the Philippines, earned my Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, worked in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and later spent twelve years at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Yet my life has never been defined by work alone.
The six interests in my illustration tell another part of my story.
1. Playing Bridge: Keeping the Mind Active
Bridge has been part of my life since my graduate school days in the early 1960s. I have played this fascinating card game for more than six decades.
For those unfamiliar with bridge, it is a partnership card game in which four players use bidding, logic, memory, and communication to try to win tricks. The cards already played matter, as do the decisions made by your partner and opponents.
I still enjoy a good game of bridge. I must remember which cards have been played, consider what my opponents may hold, and decide how best to play my hand.
At my senior community, The Heritage Downtown in Walnut Creek, California, I help organize bridge games for fellow residents. The pleasure comes not only from the game itself but also from the companionship and friendly competition.
At my age, keeping the mind active is important to me. Bridge gives me an enjoyable reason to concentrate, remember, calculate, and interact with other people.
And, of course, winning occasionally makes the experience even sweeter!
2. Artificial Intelligence, Aging, and Wellness: Learning Never Stops
Who would have imagined that a man born in the Philippines in 1934 would be discussing artificial intelligence in his early nineties?
During my professional career, science was central to my life. My training in chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry taught me to examine evidence, question claims, and distinguish scientific facts from wishful thinking.
Today, I use artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT, as a companion in writing, learning, and exploring new ideas. I also use it to help develop articles for my blogs, examine scientific claims, and understand subjects that interest me.
I am particularly interested in aging and wellness. Growing older brings changes in our bodies, our mobility, and sometimes our memory. I believe we should approach these changes with honesty, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.
Not everything advertised as a miracle treatment works as promised. Scientific evidence matters, especially when health is concerned.
AI can be a useful tool, but it is not infallible. Its answers must be checked, and medical decisions should be discussed with qualified healthcare professionals.
I do not expect technology to make me young again. I simply want to understand the changing world around me and continue learning for as long as I can.
3. Travel and Blogging: The World Is Still My Classroom
Travel has always been an important part of my life.
I was born and raised in the Philippines, pursued higher education in the United States, and built my professional career in several American cities. My life has given me opportunities to encounter different cultures, traditions, foods, and ways of thinking.
My wife, Macrine, and I also shared a special connection to Marinduque in the Philippines, where we developed our Chateau Du Mer resort and conference center after my retirement from the FDA. Our medical missions there were among the most meaningful experiences of our lives.
Macrine often reminded me of a simple truth:
“You have not really lived if you have not touched the life of others.”
Those words remain with me.
Although my travels are more limited now, I continue to travel through memories, photographs, books, and the stories I share online.
I began blogging in 2009. Over the years, my articles have reached readers in many countries. I have written about my Philippine heritage, science, travel, family, aging, food, faith, and the experiences that have shaped my life.
Blogging has become more than a hobby. It is a way to preserve memories, share knowledge, and connect with people whom I may never meet in person.
As I approach 92, I hope to continue writing for as long as I am able. Perhaps some of my experiences will help younger readers understand the world their parents and grandparents knew.
4. My Catholic Faith: A Source of Strength and Gratitude
My Catholic faith has accompanied me throughout my life.
Like many people, I have experienced happiness, disappointment, uncertainty, loss, and change. My faith has helped me find meaning in these experiences and appreciate the blessings that remain.
Losing Macrine in August 2020, after more than 63 years of marriage, was one of the deepest sorrows of my life. The memories we created together remain precious to me.
I am grateful for our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and the many people who have touched our lives.
Living in a senior community has also taught me that gratitude can be found in ordinary things: a friendly conversation, a good meal, a game of bridge, a kind employee, or a family member who takes time to visit.
I continue to value prayer and my connection to the Catholic Church. My faith does not mean that I have all the answers. Rather, it reminds me to remain humble, grateful, and hopeful.
5. Cats: Small Companions With Big Personalities
The two cats in my illustration bring a little warmth and humor to the picture.
Cats have a special way of making themselves comfortable, asking for attention when they want it, and reminding us that life need not always be complicated.
They are independent, curious, and sometimes wonderfully unpredictable.
There is something appealing about their quiet companionship. They seem to understand that not every moment needs to be filled with activity or conversation.
As we grow older, we learn to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. A peaceful afternoon, a familiar face, a good book, or the company of an animal can bring a little happiness to an ordinary day.
The cats in my caricature represent that gentler side of life.
6. My Filipino Heritage: A Lifetime of Memories
Although I have lived in the United States for most of my adult life, the Philippines remains an important part of who I am.
I grew up in Iloilo, studied at the University of the Philippines, and carried my memories, language, traditions, and values with me when I came to America.
Food, music, family relationships, and Filipino hospitality continue to connect me to my roots. So do the colorful jeepneys, the beautiful islands, the historic churches, and the familiar dishes of home.
I am particularly happy when I have an opportunity to share Filipino culture with others.
At The Heritage Downtown, I have helped introduce fellow residents to Philippine mahjong and have enjoyed sharing our cuisine during Filipino-American History Month.
These may seem like small contributions, but cultural understanding often begins with simple things: learning a new game, tasting an unfamiliar dish, listening to another person's story, or asking about a tradition.
I hope my writing helps readers around the world appreciate the Philippines and the many contributions of Filipino Americans.
Our heritage is not something we leave behind when we move to another country. It becomes part of the story we carry with us.
A Picture Is Worth More Than a Thousand Words
Looking at this caricature of Macrine and me, I am reminded that a person's life cannot be summarized by age, occupation, or accomplishments alone.
My life has included science and technology, but also music, games, travel, faith, family, and the simple pleasure of sharing stories.
Some things have changed. I no longer have the same physical energy I enjoyed in my younger years. I have had to adjust to the realities of aging and accept that certain activities are no longer as easy as they once were.
But there are still things to learn, people to appreciate, memories to preserve, and stories to tell.
I cannot predict how many more years I will have. What I can do is make the best use of the time given to me.
Perhaps that is one of the lessons of growing older: we gradually learn that a meaningful life is not necessarily a life filled with extraordinary achievements. It can also be a life filled with curiosity, kindness, gratitude, and an interest in the world around us.
Macrine is no longer physically beside me, but she remains part of my story and my memories. The illustration brings us together in a way that celebrates the life we shared.
And so, as I approach my 92nd birthday, I will continue to play bridge when I can, explore the possibilities of artificial intelligence, write my blogs, remember my Philippine roots, cherish my faith, and appreciate the people who make each day meaningful.
Growing older is inevitable. Remaining curious is a choice.
Thank you for joining me on this little journey through my life.
Until my next blog post, may we all continue to learn, love, remember, and find reasons to be grateful. David at Nearing 92
“The years may change our faces,
And time may slow our pace,
But curiosity keeps us young,
And love gives life its grace.”
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