AS WE GROW OLD

As you get older, you begin to zero down on your options. There’s a certain pruning that begins to
happen. You begin entering an energy saving mode.

You begin to ignore some things. You become particular about the battles you pick. You will be in the
middle of an argument and deep down you wonder; “Naye Nfakki?” You stop persisting on things. That
time you no longer have. You no longer have the energy to convince people otherwise.

If you ask her out and she claims she’s busy. That bus immediately passes. You stop giving second
chances. Again, you don’t have that energy to give the second chance. You are in a mode where you
realize the world is filled with so many people.

You start demanding better treatment. You begin to adore your peace. Why go to a place with loud
music, fully packed, hiked drinks and poor customer service? You realize you can do better throwing a
party at a friend’s small hangout. At least here, you are supporting a friend, and you are at peace.

As you grow older, you begin to pity those who have grudges on you. Because you are now in a mode of;
“tondissa, tonsuzza.” If you don’t feed me or house me, why should I be concerned about your opinion
of me?

I have a friend who often asks; “ebyo bikyussa dollar Oba Nedda?” Basically before you engage him in a
conversation or argument, it should be valuable enough to affect the value of the dollar.

As you grow older, you begin attaining some conservatism. You love your things a certain way. That’s
you. And you stop being apologetic. You drop on the acting. You become more real. If you don’t want
something, you make it clear. If you don’t have money, you don’t make any false promises.

But as you grow older, you begin to see the younger version of you in people. You look at them doing
the same silly things you used to do. You smile, you remember your days, and you become more
empathetic. You are almost tempted to tell them; “enjoy your silly moments while you still can.”

As you grow older, you realize that people fade. Things fade. Things don’t last. People die. People give
birth. People divorce. People cheat. People do good, and people do bad.
As you grow older, your youthful idealism gets refined by the realism. You begin to understand your
parents better. You realize why they took certain decisions. You realize they fought battles you knew
not. You become humble. You begin to value your friends, your family and that sense of community.

Who knew that I would love Luwombo? Who knew that I would hate fried things? Who knew that I
would fancy local food over fast foods? Who knew that I would long for the countryside peace? Who
knew that I would hate watching TV? Who knew that I would look forward to a beer on a Kabalaaza than
one in a bar with music blasting high? Who knew that I would love Katunkuma, Kamulali, Nakatti,
Balugu, Nsujju? What about chai of kisubi? Now that I am older, I realize there is so much wheat in our
diet. Chappati, Kindazi, cake, bread. It is not healthy!

Anyway as you get older, you take things at your pace. You find your style, your voice, you make peace
with who you are, and who you are not. You are no longer trying to prove a point. You ‘come’ when you
want. No need proving you can last years. There’s no need to have the best dance strokes. You simply
dance and enjoy yourself. You stop competing in Kampala jam. If people want to squeeze in, you let
them in. Scandals no longer shock you. Death doesn’t shock you. It is all life...

Growing older is the highest form of privilege...

By Ian Ortega