THE OLD MAN AND ULTIMATE HAPPINESS—
By Bernard Bujold -
Every year on June 28, it’s my birthday—the same date as my idol, Elon Musk…
Elon turned 55 on June 28, and although he’s a few years younger than me, he’s become much richer than me—truly much wealthier—even though I’m the older one…
As for me, for several years now, my birthday has become a sort of countdown to the time I have left, rather than a look toward a future that’s just beginning. For me, old age is like a sunset over the lake at the end of a day of fishing!
I must acknowledge, however, that in this day and age, every day is in itself a new future, given how quickly things are changing—especially with artificial intelligence…
In fact, despite my age, which stems from a different era, I’ve quickly become a huge fan of modern artificial intelligence—so much so that I’ve even chosen, virtually, the special guests to celebrate my 2026 birthday, including Donald Trump, Elon Musk, the beautiful Italian Giorgia Meloni (my type of woman, whose daughter’s father—from whom she’s divorced—is, as it happens, a journalist just like me); and my favorite politician, Mark Carney; in addition to my three mascots…
I even imagined what my virtual guests would give me as gifts: Donald would give me a pair of FLORSHEIM shoes, just as he does for all his friends; Elon would give me a share of SpaceX; Giorgia would give me a 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, one of Tuscany’s most robust wines, while Mark would give me a 5-pound note (£5) from the Bank of London featuring Winston Churchill, a note issued in 2016 under his leadership. It’s the very first polymer banknote in the history of the Bank of England. A collector’s item signed by Mark...
In the end, however, my birthday fantasy became a reality partly because I did indeed receive Florshiem shoes—but from a real-life friend...
My children gave me the book *OUTLIVE: The Science & Art of Longevity* by Peter Attia, MD. My son and daughter claim that I’m going to live to be 100...
A childhood friend gave me a reproduction of a painting by Adriana Johanna Haanen (June 14, 1814 – October 8, 1895) as a reminder of the roses my mother used to grow in her garden in the Gaspé Peninsula, and I also received a solar-powered watch to help me keep track of the time I have left…
A friend from the music world gave me a collection of Chuck Berry’s works (my era…).
As for me, I treated myself to a red leather bracelet. A gift from me to myself! It’s my way of marking my respectable age of 2026…
They say the color red symbolizes energy, vitality, and a zest for life. The color red also reflects a bold, unconventional, and rebellious personality. Some say this color brings good luck!
In any case, thank you all for your good wishes and your gifts (both virtual and real...).
I often say that a happy life is one filled with little joys and that we must keep on dreaming—just like my mentor, Donald, who is a few years older than me and turned 80 on June 14…
Personally, I treat myself to little joys every day; I try to imagine what might be, and I’m a happy old man!
I’ve also come to understand that the ultimate, great happiness is a myth, because it doesn’t exist!
Long live the time I have left…
Watch the birthday party video…
