Wisdom

I have always loved to spend time with older people. When I was little I loved spending the day with my grandma, Aunt and their friends. I loved to hear all the things they would talk about it and they seemed to know everything about everybody. I loved that they were so willing to share their knowledge with those younger than them. As I grew older it hurt me to see how many people got frustrated with them and all their stories about life and such. I just loved their stories and always felt like I learned something valuable.

When my grandmother lived with us, I would beg her to tell me the time when she did this or that. As I am getting older  ( "Old age is fifteen years older than I am."  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes),  I realize now, that is because I made her feel appreciated and wanted. When she left our home and had to enter a nursing home, I thought my heart would break. I knew that wasn't what she wanted but, my mom had surgery, made dad was always working and I was leaving home for almost 2  years. When I came back and visited with her, I always loved going to the nursing home. I loved getting to know all the ladies, although some had struggles with their memories...I was always amazed at how much they still had to offer.

I remember Amy ( about 2 years old at the time ) and I going to visit my grandmother. It was never a quick visit because everyone of the ladies called Amy her girl and she and I would stop and visit with each of them before we even got to my grandmother's room. In some ways it was sad to see many of them just sit there day in and day out without ever having any visitors. Yes, I wish that we would have had more time to spend with them but my grandmother needed us too.

Wisdom, when I looked up the word here is what I found...

–noun

1.
the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

2.
scholarly knowledge or learning: the wisdom of the schools.

3.
wise sayings or teachings; precepts.

How I wish that we could all tap into the wisdom that our elders have. They have seen and lived so much more of life. They have had their share of heartaches and trials. Most of them have all the time in the world, sometimes too much of it and they are lonely. I would encourage all of us in this year of 2010 to find one elderly person whether it is your neighbor, grandparents or just a friend, and really spend time with them.  Learn about their live and their experiences, make them feel important, make them feel loved and needed. You will for sure make a difference for the better in their life, but I also promise you too will be the wiser for it! Have a great day!

 

"The years teach much which the days never knew."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigor.  With such people the gray head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life."  ~Charles Dickens