Feeling 50 and nostalgic

by Dale Burgos

	The many family members who travelled to celebrate my big day.

I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, and I find myself reminiscing about the good ol’ days more and more in my old age. I recently celebrated a milestone birthday. More on that later.

Nearly 30 years ago I began my professional journey as a broadcaster. Fresh out of college I got my first job as a radio announcer working midnights at CKJS 810 AM. For those born this millennium, AM is a frequency band on the radio usually found on car or household radios. I’m being cheeky, but really, when was the last time a teenager listened to the radio? I know my kids don’t.

Working as a radio DJ was a blast! I played the songs for those who listened between midnight and 8:00 a.m. I would eventually take on more roles at the radio station, eventually becoming a sidekick on the drive home show with the one and only Ate Emmie Joaquin. It was there I worked on my Taglish. I’ll forever be thankful for the mentorship of Ate Em as she’s been a consistent supporter over the years.

Today, I find myself writing another article in the Pilipino Express News Magazine, something I have been doing for nearly 20 years. I would typically write every month but as of late, work and life has been kicking my butt and I’ve not been able to submit. When I do write, my articles typically focus on family adventures with a heavy dose of satire. I take pleasure knowing that a part of my history lies within the pages (and online) of the Pilipino Express.

So where am I going with this? I turned 50 years old this past July and I was feeling pretty good about it. It all changes when people say, “50! How do you feel?” or “It all goes downhill from here!” I keep telling myself that it’s just a number. That seems to help.

Younger me always thought 50 was all about using a cane and suffering from a sore back. I was partly right as a stiff back in the morning is a common occurrence. It’s probably because I still act like a 20-year-old trying to keep 90s hip-hop dancing alive.

That said, I feel I am healthier now than when I was in my 30s, all thanks to advice I received from friends, health professionals, and those that are living well into their 80s and beyond.

I would like to give a special shoutout to my wife, Elizabeth, who was able to pull off the surprise of the century. Leading up to my big day, we spoke about going out for a family dinner, nothing too extravagant. I was asked what I wanted for my birthday and my answer was either a video arcade or a visit from my mom. Knowing how my mom doesn’t care to travel anymore I figured now is the year I get my Golden Tee stand up arcade. Fast forward to today, I still don’t have my arcade, but I did get to enjoy a home cooked meal by my very own mom!

Nanay and Ate Net came for a surprise visit after telling me for months they’d love to come but couldn’t – and I believed them! But wait, there’s more! The next day my cousin Den and daughter Jasmine showed up and the guests kept coming. Some as close as Vancouver, many from Alberta and Manitoba and one as far away as Toronto! Needless to say, I was extremely thankful and honoured that so many made the trip for little old me.

I have been told we get more emotional as we age. I can, unequivocally, agree with that statement. I cry more watching TV commercials (millennials, you may have to Google what those are) or TikToks of people rescuing penguins (seems oddly specific). I’ll stop now before I start sounding like a “boomer.”

The good ol’ days are not just behind me; there are still many to be made! Now excuse me while I use my massager to work on my sore back.

Dale manages the corporate communications department for a city in British Columbia.