Young at Heart

On Sunday, the Swallow's family joined their friends for a time of fellowship over games and food. Beginning with lunch at the hawker centre near their local church and followed by games held at a tertiary school's sports hall, the fellowship time then ended with dinner at one of the friend's home.

It was play time for everyone who came - young ones and young-at-heart ones.  There were games of badminton and table tennis at the sports hall.  The older group of young ones battled the young-at-heart ones, matching their youth and vitality against experience and skill, although it was noted that some of the young ones had experience and skill in their clutches too.  One of the friends also took the trouble to entertain the very young ones, who were not able to join these games, with balloon sculptures.

Dinner was in the form of a barbecue.  There was enough food to feed the whole lot of friends.  They took turns to man the grill and to watch the young ones.  Satay (chicken and mutton), Otah (spicy and non-spicy), marinated chicken mid-joint wings (Sesame Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken and Spicy Mediterranean Chicken), and Banana and Bacon Rolls were some of the food items grilled over the coals.  There were also fried bee hoon, a mushroom dish, salad, drinks and ice-cream to complete the meal.

Replete after a satisfying meal, the young-at-heart ones played catch-up with each other while the older group of young ones played board games and made-up games, and the very young ones started their own 'train' with the unused chairs.

The Swallow's family enjoyed themselves very much.  In busy Singapore, it is a necessity to set aside time for such occasions of fellowship - to build and strengthen existing bonds of friendship as well as to make new bonds of friendships.  Moreso as one gets older.  During the schooling years, friends were easily made.  Maintaining the friendships was also simpler as one gets to see one's friends constantly.  However, when one leaves the schooling years behind, more effort has to be put in for friendships to last.

The Swallow is thankful to the Lord that she and her mate have these friendships with those who are from the same household of faith, having the same ideals, values and goals, to encourage them in the Christian walk.

Going by the feedback from their friends, everyone else had a good time.  However, the young-at-heart ones were reminded this morning that they were indeed only young at heart - their muscles were quick to protest and their bodies seconded the fact that they were no longer young!