Hooked on the sport of parachuting, former US president George Bush is still going strong at an advanced age of 84.

When celebrating his 80th birthday in 2004, the former president parachuted from a dazzling height of over 4,000 metres, much to the astonishment of the world. He recently told the media that he would do the same thing when he celebrates his 85th birthday this June.

His son, President George W Bush feels that his dad has been insane fiddling with his own life at this age, but the senior Bush seems to have the slightest doubts of himself, thinking that this way of celebrating birthday is "thrilling" enough.

As the former president, and father of the incumbent president, the senior Bush does not really need to worry so much about his own safety, for in whatever way he chooses to celebrate his birthday, the most rigorous safety measures must have been put in place.

But what he has said leaves much to be pondered.

He said, "You wouldn't want to sit at a quiet corner with your saliva dripping from your mouth merely because you're old. The purpose of me doing so is to deliver a message to the entire world, to prove that you can still do something, and that old people indeed still can do something."

It is unbecoming to find an octogenarian still flushing with excitement, doing things that even those half or quarter his age would not dare to attempt, and yet taking pride in it.

Most octogenarians either walk with the help of walking sticks in their living rooms or gardens, or like the senior Bush has said, sit quietly at a corner waiting for daybreaks and sundowns, especially in the Oriental society where an octogenarian is supposed to "act like a senior" and not to be "rash and reckless."

Social traditions and outdated value system have pressed onto the shoulders of old people, retarding the pace of many septuagenarians and octogenarians while deepening their signs of ageing such as blurred vision and hearing problems.

Perhaps not many people his age in the West are as lucky as the senior Bush, continuing to engage in their favourite pastimes, but many still travel around the world, wearing jeans, putting on lipsticks, dancing, and even divorcing their partners.

The 80-somethings in our society, as we have seen, are not only senile in appearance, but also filled inside their hearts the melancholy of soon having both their feet planted into their graves.

Those with children and grandchildren can perhaps count their blessing for being able to hide inside the house, playing with the grandchildren, watching soap operas, or dozing off in front of the TV set.

Those left unattended may have to finish off their remaining lonesome years in an old folks' home. Indeed, all they can do is to sit like a dumb at a quiet corner, with saliva dripping from the corner of their mouth, or dozing off to their youthhood.

Bush's parachuting endeavours prove that 80-somethings can indeed still do plenty of things. Our octogenarians should also be allowed to do the things they like, if our society and government are willing to appreciate their existence and offer a helping hand to satisfy their needs.

To encourage senior citizens to step out of their doors and take part in community activities, it is imperative for the government to set up more senior citizens' clubs that provide a wide range of activities and socialising opportunities, such as fitness centres, computer classes and singing classes, among others. Alternatively, they should also be allowed to partake in some simple social jobs so that they can still contribute towards the society during their sunset years.

The sunset is infinitely beautiful. So, don't just sit down there dozing off or dripping. Go out and participate in some kind of social activities and make a few new friends. (By TAN POH KHENG/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)