Twilight of the Mind

Dear Diary,

Suddenly I was a little emotional when I saw a particular store assistant standing at the entrance of my pharmacy store, just as I was stepping out for dinner. Just 10 months ago when I started working in my pharmacy, he was one wise old man who told me about stories of how he carried a million dollars and sailed from coast-to-coast, how he climbed the sides of huge transport ships… He always had those interesting stories that I admired because not many youths these days will sail the seas. These days, he seems to be lost in his own world.

After dinner, I walked over to him when my pharmacy counter was quiet. I just spoke to him about my concern. I did not use the word “senile” but put it across nicely by saying “less alert”. He got my meaning though. He looked genuinely concerned, troubled and helpless. I prescribed him gingko to be taken thrice a day. I counselled him on how he should pick up a hobby, start thinking, reading, solving problems…. Sigh… I actually felt quite sad as I spoke.

The girls have it easier. Apparently, oestrogen may help to prevent dementia according to a "Women's Health Initiative-Memory Study", a large nation-wide clinical trial directed by Dr. Sally A. Shumaker at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Okay, not that I need to worry about dementia at this point of time, haha… I am still young but still couldn’t help realising that how time flies! Hong Kong singer Sally Yeh…. She probably is singing in a concert in Singapore as I type this entry. She used to be extremely popular when I was younger. These days, I don’t think the kids know who she is. It just shows how something which used to be fashionable can just fade into obscurity at a twinkling of an eye because nothing on this Earth last forever.

Just 2 days ago, I attended a workshop by the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS) at Alexandra Hospital. It was quite incredible when a former lab partner asked me if I missed her and the other few classmates. I laughingly said, “Good question… I better give a diplomatically correct answer… well, I do miss you all, haha…” In reality, I do miss them. I don’t know how long the memory will last… or whether we will eventually get senile or whatever… just cherish every moment when we can.

God Bless,

Andrew