Being a caregiver sometimes provides a limited view on getting older. Whether it is our elders getting older or ourselves, the realities of aging catches up with all of us.
Being a “preacher’s kid” often placed me in communities of older individuals. I developed some useful social skills through chatting with the local grandparents as they regaled us youngsters with tales of “back when I was your age”. What started out as the fulfillment of a family duty, evolved into an element of comfort when conversing with older people.
In time, I came to appreciate the significance of this oral tradition. I had a sense that these conversations were not just the pleasant passing of time but that there was also something more substantial passing between us. I just could not say exactly what it was.
I also learned that there is much more to life that is not experienced directly. Understanding lessons derived from another’s decisions, and resulting events, contributes to developing a comprehensive perspective on living. They are character-building events.
As a kid, I learned that old folks are cool.
Gratitude
Being sensitized at an early age to these opportunities to learn from others, many individuals have imparted lessons from the school of hard knocks.
Sometimes the lessons were learned by simply observing their behavior.
I once was waiting in the staging area of a local bike race, when a rather noisy individual worked his way through those of us in the younger groups. This guy was trash-talking and joking his way to the back where all of those “older” cyclists were to start.
Interesting guy but I figured that was the last I would see of him. He was “old” and I was starting minutes ahead of him.
Ten miles into the race and I am struggling up the climbs and I hear a cheerful voice coming up from behind.
The boisterous “old guy” from the start was cruising through, cracking wise, and behaving like it was a pleasant spin around the neighborhood.
As he unceremoniously left me behind, I pondered the encounter. I could grumble at being bested by an old guy or I could appreciate that a rider with twenty years on me can be in good enough shape to beat a bunch of us youngsters.
I chose him as a role model for what can be possible when one gets older.
Celebrity Status
While not a fan of much of the social media out there, I have recently become intrigued by X (formerly known as Twitter). The statements and conversation range widely, and employing a healthy dose of skepticism is required.
X is a great place to “people watch” the thinking and fears of the diverse world in which we live.
The platform has gained popularity with a number of celebrities. Some of these accounts of older individuals are obviously managed by their staff, but some accounts appear to be handled by the celebrities themselves.
William Shatner regularly engages and wins battles of wits with denizens of the Internet, demonstrating that one does not need to become mentally enfeebled just because of living beyond a number of years.
Yet another role model for, should I make it to his age, being sharp and engaging with others.
The Market for Wisdom
As a society, Americans are more oriented towards youth, but there is value in what older individuals have to offer younger persons. Wisdom derived from other times enhances our present.
We currently live in very turbulent times. We are developing coping skills everyday to contend with these challenges.
Thinking towards the future, imagine what these skills will mean to society and younger people.
While I am still young enough to be a member of the audience, I will continue to soak up whatever wisdom I can from my elders.
The information is out there. We just have to let it in.
“Mentoring is an archetypal activity that has timeless elements which can connect us to the universal ground where nature renews itself and culture becomes reimagined. Youth and elder meet where the pressure of the future meets the presence of the past. Old and young are opposites that secretly identify with each other; for neither fits well into the mainstream of life.”― Michael Meade
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