Old People

Our society doesn't give enough thought to old people. Just the other day, I read that the standards of nursing homes were below standards, with private nursing homes worse than public, government-funded nursing homes. (This is not to say all nursing homes are bad, just the majority.)

In the past, I may have stereotyped the elderly because I didn't know any better. I must've thought they either talked too much or talked too little, but perhaps they talked too much because nobody else listened or talked too little because nobody asked.

Hearing the elderly poet last week completely changed my mind about fading old minds. Hers was sharp with wit and clever with words. Then this morning at St. James Anglican Church, there was an older lady at our breakfast table. The rest of us were students (undergrad, OT, and even a recent Ph.D. graduate) and we were chatting about future plans because the message had been about uncertainty and God's guidance. We finally asked the older lady what she was currently doing, what she had done, and what she was looking forward to. She told us that she was nearing 70 and she began to slowly bring out some of the things she had done in life. She had taught home economics for years and then became a director for an international company. She had also been a spiritual director, but after moving to Kingston, she couldn't direct because she didn't have a spiritual director in Kingston. 'Tis a pity: she has a lot to give.

It's so encouraging to meet people at different parts of their life. Growing up in a megachurch has kept people relegated to their own fellowships that are defined by age or life stages. I've been blessed to get to know some of the wonderful elderly, and I hope I can continue to learn from their wisdom.

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor;

it is attained by a righteous life."

- Proverbs 16:31