Greetings, Northside neighbors,
Last column, I encouraged us to remember our own youth and intentionally build positive relationships with young people. Now, I want to focus on the other end of the life span.
Let’s celebrate and acknowledge the reality that those among us who have observed more rotations of the earth around the sun have loads of life experience to share. I wish to honor these years and this segment of our community and say thank you.
The all-time number one best-selling book, the Bible, has lots to say about honoring elders in our family and society. Just one example is the statement that “wisdom is with the aged and understanding in length of days.” We do well to consider and apply this in valuing those who have gone before us. This is time-tested wisdom still upheld and observed in many cultures and places.
I know many people at or past typical retirement age making invaluable contributions in their workplace, on boards, as volunteers, in their families, as mentors and more. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, experience, time and talent. We need and want what you have to offer. Please don’t be shy to bring your voice into the mix so we all can benefit.
I know our later years sometimes require significant support as well. I have recently been to memorial services and know family, friends and neighbors with mental and physical health challenges associated with aging. This can be very hard to deal with.
Let’s be a community and culture that both listens to and learns from our older adults and commits to staying connected no matter what their condition in the winter of their life. God willing, we all will be there some day ourselves. Let’s all honor and respect our elders and keep company with them.
