Afterglows in the Sunset of Our Lives-An Update

Macrine ( my spouse of 56 years) and I retired in 2002. Our friends often asked us, if we have done anything after retirement that we can be proud of. Yes indeed, please read on..

Last April, I took a photograph of a sunset and its afterglow from the west balcony of our retirement home in Boac, Marinduque, Philippines. Looking at the photo reminded me of both Macrine's and my professional life in the US.

Macrine retired as Manager, Quality Assurance Nurse from one of Maryland's Home Health Nursing Company. I retired from FDA as a Chemistry Team Leader in the Center of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD. Both of us had satisfying careers( I had received several awards, letters of commendation and appreciation, and an EEO award). So when we retired in 2002, we often ask ourselves, if this is all that we can contribute to society and the community.

Seven years ago, Macrine received a letter of Appreciation and Thanks from Governor Carmencita Reyes because of her involvement in MI, Inc Medical Mission Of Love, 2006. Macrine was president and over-all chairperson of the medical mission in Marinduque that year. Here's an excerpt from C Reyes letter of Thanks.

Dear Mrs. Katague,

I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for all the assistances extended by MI, Inc. Your association is one of our full-time partners in the delivery of health services particularly in the conduct of medical/surgical missions which benefited hundreds of Marinduquenos. Thank you so much for the support and assistance extended to our administration and to the people of Marinduque. Mabuhay Kayo!

In 2008, Macrine and I received a Letter of Thanks and Appreciation from then Governor Antonio Carrion in our efforts to promote tourism in the island not only during Easter but also whole year round. The letter mentioned several of my blogs and articles that proclaimed my love for the province and encouraging other Balikbayans to build retirement homes in the island.

In 2009, my dream as a "citizen journalist" was attained when two of my articles was accepted for publication in HULIQ News. The first article was about Marinduque as the Ecotourism capital of the Philippines. The second was on the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in Morong, Bataan.

Just recently three of my thousands of readers of my blogs commented: " I have been reading your various blogspots and websites for about one week now. They are all well written and great reading. What I have been reading and following intently in your blog is your life story, very interesting indeed. Please keep on writing and thanks for opening yourself up in your blogs."

A second reader also commented: I have been following your blog for quite sometime. I learned a lot about Marinduque and the Philippines. I specially enjoyed reading your childhood experiences during the Japanense-American War. Your contribution as an FDA employee to the burnt victims of the bombing in New York and the Pentagon is indeed commendable and worthy of an award. Keep writing !

A third reader wrote, I just came across your site while I was looking for background information regarding the Rigodon de Honor. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs and admire your dedication to keeping your blogs updated. Looks like retirement suits you! I am also a Filipino American who have dedicated the last 25 years in pursuit of improving the clinical trial enterprise. I just wanted to let you know that your stories inspired me to look into doing something similar. At age 56 and in the process of yet another reinvention of my professional and personal life,I found some wise pearls in your blogs. Thank you for sharing your stories with the world! Kind regards

Last but not least, a couple of days ago, I received an E-mail and a call from Melvin Rickarby of BBC Radio 4 ( Bristol) in the UK. He interviewed me regarding my article on Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. I am so flattered that he is reading my blogs. There is a possibility that our interview would be broadcasted in his radio program in UK- a documentary on Soul Music. As of today I have close to a million readers in my ten blogs from 174 countries.

Will there be more afterglows in the future? I hope so. I would like to hear that our oldest grandson ( now 22) got married and gave us a great grandchild( that my wife and I can pamper whenever we want to). In addition, we would like to hear the news that our youngest granddaughter( now 10) had graduated from college and that both my wife and myself are still healthy to attend her graduation.

Lastly, my wife and I thanks the Lord for the past, present and future afterglows in the sunset of our lives.