人間故事

A Story of Life

Amid the hum of the airport lounge, I sat quietly and overheard two friends chatting nearby.

They spoke of an elderly friend in her eighties, who lives alone. Her children have settled in Spain and England, separated by vast oceans and unable to tend to her in person. With advancing years, her self‑care has grown harder, and her memory fades bit by bit. She spends most days confined to her home, coping as best she can. Within their means, the two friends check in on her each day and offer what comfort they can.

Then they sighed and agreed that we ought to savour joy while it lasts.

This casual snippet of conversation, overheard while waiting for a flight, invites quiet reflection. Time pauses for no one; we cannot count on endless chances to meet and be happy. Loneliness and frailty in old age are one of life’s sober truths.

We so often put life aside for “later”, unaware that time will not wait. To savour joy in the present is not reckless indulgence. It is to cherish the companionship and days we still hold.

人間故事

機場候機大廳人聲熙攘，我靜坐一旁，聽見鄰座兩位友人閒談。

他們談起一位年逾八旬的舊友。老人家獨居，子女分別定居西班牙與英國，遠隔重洋，難以近身照料。年華老去，她的自理能力日漸衰退，記憶也慢慢消散，多數時候獨守家中，凡事只能自求多福。這兩位朋友在能力所及之內，每日都會探問她的情況，送上關懷。

話說到這裡，二人慨然：人生，要及時行樂。

不過是候機時偶然聽來的一段閒話，卻引人深思。歲月從不為誰停留，相聚與歡愉，都沒有無限的預留。晚年的孤獨與無助，是漫長人生裡一份沉重的真實。

人總習慣寄望於以後，卻忽略時光不待人。這裡說的及時行樂，不是縱情放逸，而是把握當下，珍惜尚且可以擁有的陪伴與時光。