Reflections and A Poem on My 91st Birthday, Today

Dinner with MaryAnn, Steve and Harry with Jenny after the Cocktail Hour. Jenny took several pictures ( 36) during the Cocktail and I am posting some of them at the bottom of this page.  

Ninety-One Years: A Birthday Reflection

Today is December 20 and I am celebrating my 91st birthday. Today, I find myself looking back,  not out of longing, but out of gratitude. At this stage of life, time moves differently. It doesn’t rush the way it used to; instead, it settles quietly beside me, offering its memories like folded letters I can open at my own pace and leisure.

Remembering the Long Journey

Inside those letters are the many versions of myself: the young immigrant who left home in search of opportunity,  the naturalized American who worked hard to claim his place, the husband, father, grandfather and now, twice this year, a great-grandfather.

Becoming a great-grandfather feels like being given two new sunrises. Their tiny fingers and soft breaths remind me how the story continues long after we imagine our chapters are done.

My Years in Service- My FDA Years Photo

1990-My First Personal Interview with the FDA, Washington, DC

Another letter contains the professional life I built at the FDA, years of careful, demanding, but deeply meaningful work in public health. I remember the weight and responsibility of the job, especially during the aftermath of 9/11, when so much of the nation felt unsteady. Those experiences shaped me in profound ways; they remain part of the steel in my spine and the steadiness in my convictions.

A Writer at Heart

Then there is the writer in me, the man who, in 2009, began to blog without any idea that it would become a daily ritual, a personal archive, a companion. Over time, my blog posts became footprints documenting the landscapes of my life: family, politics, faith, culture, memory, and the ordinary moments that give each day its quiet meaning.

Today, My Life at The Heritage Downtown(THD), Walnut Creek, CA

Today I live at THD, where the pace has slowed but the stories have not. Life in a senior community carries its own humor, tenderness, and unpredictability. I watch my fellow residents navigate their days with grace and grit; I admire and grateful to the staff who make this place feel like home; and I continue to observe, reflect, and write about the rhythms of senior life. It is another chapter, different from earlier ones, but no less meaningful.

Gathering the Years

At ninety-one, I no longer chase the years. I gather them. I turn them over the way one might examine shells along a beach, each one shaped by time, carrying echoes of laughter, sorrow, triumph, loss, and love.

And through all of it, I still feel profoundly alive. Still curious. Still writing. Still grateful.

A Birthday Wish to Myself

So as I welcome another December 20, I do so with simple gratitude for the extraordinary, complicated, beautiful life I’ve lived. Ninety-one years and somehow, the ink on my pen has not yet run dry.

Meanwhile, here's a poem on this occasion, prepared by my Writing Assistants.  

🎂 Ninety-One: A Birthday Poem for December 20 🎂
by David Balleza Katague

At ninety-one, the days feel softer,
as if time itself has learned gentleness, 
not rushing, not demanding,
just placing moments in my hands
like folded letters from years gone by.

I open each one slowly.

There is the boy who left home for a larger world,
the young man who built a life in a country
that once felt far away,
the naturalized American still proving, even now,
how deeply one can love a place
that didn’t love him first,
but eventually learned to.

There is the professional, 
the long chapter wearing the badge of the FDA,
scientist, regulator, guardian of public health.
The work was meticulous, demanding,
but noble in the way quiet service always is.
I carried it with pride,
as I carried my share of the nation’s burdens
after 9/11.
Those memories live in me like iron, 
weighty, unbending, unforgettable.

There is the writer, 
the man who began, to blog in 2009
and never stopped.
The stories stretch behind me
like a long, wandering coastline:
family memories, politics, reflections,
daily joys, and quiet griefs,
each post another footprint
in the sand of a life well-lived.

And now, here at THD,
the days continue in a gentler rhythm.
Walks down familiar hallways,
the laughter of friends, bridge and mahjong, 
the quirks and sweetness of my fellow residents,
the dedicated staff who weave their care
into our ordinary days.
I observe it all, 
noticing, remembering, writing, 
a chronicler of senior life.

And this year,
two miracles arrived
with tiny fingers and impossibly small toes:
my two great-grandchildren.
Two new branches on a tree
that has grown through storms and seasons,
reaching farther than I ever dreamed
when I first planted its roots.

They are my sunrise.
I am their long, steady dusk.

At ninety-one, I do not chase years, 
I gather them.
I turn them over like seashells,
listening to what they still echo.

Gratitude.
Love.
Work well done.
Stories still unfolding.

And so on this birthday,
I lift my eyes to the December sky
and say simply:

I am still here.
Still learning.
Still writing.
Still loving this beautiful, simple life.

Ninety-one years, and the ink has not run dry.

My Activity for Today: 

7AM-11AM- Reflection, Morning Mediation and Writing/Reading

12-2PM- Birthday Lunch for Family ( for 10) at FOB Kitchen, Temescal District, Oakland 

3-4 PM -Nap Time and Checking E-mail/Writing/Reading

5PM Dinner at THD with Bridge, Mahjong and Chair Volleyball Friends, etc.. 

7PM -10PM TV Time with Batman and Robin

10:30PM- Sleeping Time and Gratitude Time for the Day     

Special Thanks: To Jenny S, Gween C, Sue H. Marsha K and Sandi G for their birthday cards greetings. To Dick B, for his singing telephone greetings.   To Jane W for the book she gave;

To Alex, our musician guest yesterday who allowed me to sing with him, My Way, along with his energetic musical performance, that was fantastic and exceeded the one hour schedule. Alex has outdone himself last night.  To the Servers and Kitchen Crew, Office/Activity Staff who sang at the Cocktail Hour Event yesterday. And for the special appetizer of Lumpia and Puto ordered by Joel...The Puto ( rice cake) was a surprised.   

May I repeat what I said in my blog last night. This memorable event in the Sunset of My Life will be one of the Highlights in my Book of Memories. Gratitude, Gratitude and Gratitude, Indeed!     

Last but not least a video of Pleasant Memories at Chateau Du Mer, 2016. Macrine(RIP) with her first cousins (Nieva Men and their Wives) serenading her with the song Some Enchanting Evening from South Pacific   

Some of the amazing and beautiful photos taken by Jenny yesterday Afternoon, at the Cocktail Hour :

https://www.facebook.com/david.b.katague/videos/10206321560494258/

You Are Never Too Old To Dream

You Are Never Too Old to Dream-Reflections on Turning 91

As I approach my 91st birthday, I find myself returning to a simple truth: you are never too old to dream. Not at 60. Not at 75. Not at 90. And certainly not at 91.

Dreaming, I’ve learned, is not something reserved for the young. It is a life force, an ember that refuses to go out as long as we continue to breathe, imagine, hope, and care.

Over the years, I’ve lived through chapters I never predicted:

• A long, meaningful career at the FDA and from three other Non-Federal organizations.

• A role in the aftermath of 9/11, helping at a time of national heartbreak.

• A blogging journey that began in 2009 and continues to this very day.

• Becoming a great-grandfather—twice!

• And navigating the challenges of aging, including Stage 4 kidney disease, with honesty, courage, and humor.

And here I am, still dreaming.

Dreams Change, But They Do Not Disappear

When we are young, dreams often involve the future, careers, families, accomplishments, travel, goals that stretch out years ahead. But at 91, dreams take on a different, deeper shape.

Today, I dream of:

• Time with the people I love.

• Sharing stories that help others reflect on their own lives.

• Living with grace, gratitude, and curiosity.

• Continuing to write blogs that inspire my senior readers.

• Leaving behind words that will comfort my family when I am gone.

And yes, dreaming of simple joys: a good massage, a bright morning, a warm conversation, a new gadget to explore (smartwatches included!), or learning something fascinating about Filipino food, culture, or history. Or Winning or Losing in Bridge and  Mahjong here at THD. 

We never stop dreaming unless we choose to. And I haven’t chosen to stop.

Dreaming Keeps Us Alive

Every week, I hear from my readers, many seniors themselves who say:

“I’m too old to start something new.”
“I wish I had done this earlier.”
“It’s too late for me.”

But it is never too late.

If I can still write, learn, discover, laugh, and dream at 91, so can you.

Dreams are not measured by their size or outcome. They are measured by the life they breathe into our days.

A Lifetime of Dreams Fulfilled and Still Dreaming

As I reflect on nine decades of life, I don’t measure my years by wealth or status or how many things I checked off some imaginary list. I measure them by relationships, health (as best as I can hold on to it), accomplishments, and the family that now spans four generations.

My life has not been perfect, but it has been meaningful. And that, I believe, is the real dream of every human being.

So, To My Senior Readers…

Whether you’re 65, 75, 85, or 95:  Keep dreaming.  Start a project. Pick up a hobby.

Write your story. Learn a technology (AI Apps) your grandchildren use. Travel if you can.

Love deeply. Hope boldly. And above all, wake up each morning believing that something good is still possible.

If turning 91 has taught me anything, it is this:

Dreaming is not something you grow out of. It is something you grow into.

And as long as there is breath in us, there is more to imagine, more to give, more to experience, and more to dream.

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic

Famous quotes about dreams emphasize the importance of dreaming, perseverance, and taking action to achieve them.Popular quotes include "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them" by Walt Disney and "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" by Eleanor Roosevelt. Other inspiring sayings highlight that a dream requires a dreamer, hard work, and a refusal to give up, such as "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe".  

On believing in and pursuing your dreams

• "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." – Walt Disney 
• "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." – Eleanor Roosevelt 
• "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." – Henry David Thoreau 
• "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." – Henri Frederic Amiel 
• "Every great dream begins with a dreamer." – Harriet Tubman 

On the necessity of action and perseverance

• "A dream doesn\'t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." – Colin Powell 
• "Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway." – Earl Nightingale 
• "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." – Langston Hughes 
• "You have to dream before your dreams can come true." – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 
• "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." – Henry David Thoreau 

Related Blogs: My Dreams Filled and Unfulfilled:  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2018/01/my-fulfilled-and-unfulfilled-childhood.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/06/our-unfulfilled-dreams-for-chateau-du.html

Introducing Steve and Jan Holzman

This a continuation of My Blog Series- Knowing Your New THD Co-Residents. 

Steve and Janis Holzman just moved to THD last October. During the Residents Party for December Birthdays, I had a chance to talk one to one with them. I told them I have a blog series on Introduction of New Residents and requested them their bio for my blogs. 

Here's what Steve sent me the other day. Again, welcome Steve and Jan. I hope your stay here with THD be a happy and long one. Here's Steve Biography.

"I grew up in Chicago in a middle class family. My father was a dentist, my wonderful mom a housewife, and a sister 7 years younger now in the DC area. I attended the University of Chicago, went to med school in Pittsburgh, hoping to be a psychiatrist or neurologist. I met my future wife Jan, a neurology nurse in London on Jan 10, the 1st day of my elective there. We married in December of that year in the middle of my internship in Chicago.

I took my residency in Psychiatry, studying at Albert Einstein in the Bronx. Jan did her nursing here in an underserved area, later becoming a hospice nurse most of her career.

After residency I remained on the Einstein faculty, then the Cornell faculty for a few years, but decided academic medicine wasn’t for me.  I wanted a more active leadership role. in 1982, by which time we had two daughters, Sarah and Jessica.

We moved to the Hartford (CT) area where I became the 1st chairman and medical director of a newly built psychiatric building with a complete range of services. Over the next 19 years I built the department, hiring 8 other doctors and participating actively in the hospitals committees and affairs. After 16 years at the demanding Hospital I contracted 2 serious cancers and decided it was time to decrease stress in my life.

I had always maintained a patient practice even as a full time administrator, but in 2001 when I left the hospital, I opened a part time private practice and worked Part time for a community Mental Health Center. I transitioned my general psychiatric practice to full time and for the next 17 years kept a very active group of about 400 patients, mostly dealing with medication but also focusing on therapy which was no longer in vogue by the 90s for psychiatric practices.

By 2022, I again developed several serious medical problems and Jan and I decided to move to California to be near our daughters who moved to the Bay area in their 20s. Sarah became a professional flutist and Jessica a nurse practitioner who worked for Planned Parenthood for many years.  They each have one son and continue their careers as well as motherhood.

We kept our condo in a lovely part of New Hampshire which we hope to return to over the next few summers. Jan and I moved to THD in October and are gradually building our retirement lives here.

We’ve been happy to meet you and other residents and hope to deepen our friendships and expand our lives to be meaningful and content".

In my Blog Series, Introducing New THD Residents, I always ask this question, Why and What did you decide to choose THD as your retirement home. Most residents reply is always because of Family  connection nearby. Here's Steve response"   

 "Jan and I discovered the Heritage when visiting our daughters a year ago; we’ve looked at several places in Marin and the East Bay and THD seemed to be the best fit for us at age 80 but not needing higher care level.

WE moved from Connecticut where we spent the last 55 years and have visited our family many times in SF and Berkeley the last 30 years but living here is a first and takes getting used to. We’re grateful to be with our family regularly and have various activities we’re starting to engage in.  We especially like the outdoor pool and Jacuzzi always open, and the exercise program - and of course the great meals. We’re gradually meeting new people and look forward to that and the wealth of shops and restaurants in Walnut Creek- we hope to give you a later follow up!"

Once Again, my personal welcome to you Steve and Jan..Looking forward to more conversations with you and Jan.

Finally, here's  the top Five News Headlines for Today:

U.S. announces massive arms sales to Taiwan worth over $10 billion, drawing strong criticism from China amid rising regional tensions. AP News

Vatican confirms resignation of Cardinal Timothy Dolan and names Bishop Ronald Hicks as the new Archbishop of New York. Fox News

U.S. military strike in eastern Pacific kills four, pushing the death toll in the campaign to 99 and igniting international concern and criticism. The Guardian

Cause of death released for Rob and Michele Reiner; their son Nick has been charged with their murder. The Guardian

Saudi Arabia proposes hosting the WTO ministerial meeting in 2028, reflecting its expanding role in global economic diplomacy. 

  

My Christmas Door Decor This Year

My Christmas Door: A Small Space, Holding Many Stories

Every December, I decorate my front door. It’s a small ritual, nothing elaborate, but this year it felt especially meaningful.

The first thing people notice are the lights. Red and green LED strands outline the doorframe, turning an ordinary hallway into something quietly festive. The glow feels welcoming, almost protective, like a soft embrace before you step inside. At my age, I’ve learned that light matters, especially during darker seasons. It lifts the spirit in ways we don’t always notice right away.

Covering the door itself is a simple blue pattern of snowflakes. I didn’t want anything flashy. Just a reminder of winter, of time passing, of the calm that can come when the world slows down a little.

At the center hangs a star-a parol, the traditional Christmas lantern from the Philippines. For many Filipinos, the parol represents the Star of Bethlehem, but for me it also represents memory. It reminds me of where I come from, of Christmases shaped by family, faith, and the blending of two cultures over a lifetime. Even after decades in America, that star still feels like home.

On either side of the door are photos of my two cats, Batman and Robin. They stand there like small guardians of the threshold. Anyone who has shared life with animals knows they become part of the family story. In quiet ways, they’ve given companionship, routine, and comfort, especially important as the years add up and the house grows quieter.

This door isn’t meant to impress. It’s meant to reflect. A little light, a familiar symbol, beloved faces, and a sense of welcome. At this stage of life, I find myself less interested in perfection and more drawn to meaning. What matters now are the things that say, this is who I am, and this is where I’ve been.

As I pass through this doorway each day, I’m reminded that Christmas doesn’t have to be loud or crowded to be real. Sometimes it lives in small gestures, in a star, a glow of lights, and the quiet comfort of home.

Video of the Door After Decor: IMG_7427.MOV

Meanwhile, here's the AI Analysis of them Above Photo:

Your Christmas door décor reads as both festive and deeply personal, and the photograph captures that balance nicely.

Overall Composition & First Impression
The primary visual anchor is the LED light edging around the doorframe. Its warm red and cool green glow immediately draws the eye, creating a luminous outline that turns an ordinary hallway door into a focal point. The lights act almost like a frame in a gallery, inviting viewers to pause and look closer. Because the rest of the hallway is neutral, the glow feels intentional rather than busy.

The Door Surface & Seasonal Texture
The door itself is wrapped in a blue snowflake-patterned covering, which introduces winter symbolism without overwhelming the scene. The cool blue contrasts effectively with the warm reds and greens of the lights, giving the décor visual depth. The snowflakes subtly reinforce the holiday theme while letting the other elements shine.

The Star & Filipino Parol Influence
At the center hangs a star, which carries layered meaning. Visually, it provides symmetry and a strong midpoint that balances the vertical lines of the door. Culturally, as a Filipino parol, it adds an important personal and heritage-driven layer. Rather than a generic Christmas symbol, it quietly tells a story of tradition, memory, and identity, embedded within a modern American hallway setting.

Cats as Guardians of the Door

The placement of Batman and Robin on either side of the door feels playful and affectionate. Their photos function almost like sentinels or guardians, flanking the entrance. This adds warmth and humor, transforming the décor from seasonal display into something unmistakably yours. The soft fabric elements draped beside them also echo a handmade, lived-in quality.

Lighting as the Emotional Core
The lights are undeniably the emotional and visual core of the décor. They suggest welcome, safety, and celebration. The glow spills slightly onto the surrounding wall, softening the space and giving the photo a cozy, evening-at-home feeling. It feels less like a door you pass through quickly and more like a threshold worth noticing.

Overall Mood & Meaning

Taken together, the photo communicates home, memory, and gentle joy. It’s not about extravagance, it’s about intention. The décor blends culture, companionship (your cats), and the quiet ritual of marking the season. The door becomes a statement: Christmas isn’t just outside or public, it lives right here, at the entrance to your personal world.

Meanwhile, here are some Decorating Ideas For Your Door 

 The Annual THD Holiday Decorating Contest is On. I plan on officially entering the contest on the urging of Ditas and her friend Nancy Rodriquez. They plan on doing the door decor this week ( see article above) and hopefully, I will win the first Prize. So what is the First Prize- a $100 gift certificate or a trip to Hawaii? 

The Internet is filled with decorating ideas.  Here some of them. 

Classic & Whimsical Themes

• Santa's Workshop or Chimney Transform the door into a brick chimney with Santa's boots "stuck" at the top, or an advent calendar where each day reveals something festive.
• Winter Wonderland / Snow Globe Cover the door in blue or white paper, add cotton ball snow, and create a 3D effect with clear plastic wrap over the whole thing to mimic a giant snow globe.
• The Grinch's Lair Use green and red decorations, perhaps with a 3D Mount Crumpet, for a classic, slightly mischievous theme that's always a hit.
• Gingerbread House Use butcher paper and craft supplies to make your door look like a delicious, frosted gingerbread house, complete with gumdrop accents. 

Interactive & Funny Ideas

• "Take a S-ELF-ie" Feature a large, festive scene with a cutout for people to pose as an elf or character for a fun photo opportunity.
• "Yule Tide" / "Christmas Cheer" Cover the door in newspaper and use empty detergent boxes (Tide and Cheer) to create a clever pun with "detergent" spilling out as "Yule Tide" and "Christmas Cheer".
• Island of Misfit Toys/Employees A humorous take on the classic Rudolph theme, using mismatched or funny decorations and perhaps photos of the team members. 

Pop Culture & Specific Concepts

• Favorite Christmas Movie Theme Ideas range from 
  A Christmas Story
  (featuring the iconic leg lamp) to 
  Frozen
   (with an "Do you want to build a snowman?" sign and Olaf).
• Charlie Brown Christmas A simple yet nostalgic theme featuring the small, sparse tree and the Peanuts gang.
• "The Nutcracker" Incorporate toy soldiers and ballet motifs for an elegant and traditional feel. 

Key Tips for Winning

• Go 3D: Add depth to your decorations; elements that pop out from the door are eye-catching.
• Use Lighting: If allowed, fairy lights or other lighting can create a magical effect and make your display stand out.
• Tell a Story: A clear theme or narrative behind your decorations will be more memorable to judges and passersby.
• Consider Your Audience: Ideas that involve interaction or incorporate inside jokes (if for an office) can score points. 

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