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The
other day, while out and about…. I struck up a
conversation with an elderly lady.
She appeared to be in her Eighty’s and used a
cane for support, while walking.
She said her name was
Betty, then began talking as though she had a mountain of
words “Bottled Up” inside, and glad she may have found
someone who might “Listen” as she spilled them out!
I was very
surprised when she said she had been a “Writer” of
short stories for years, and writing columns for a
magazine publisher.
Betty went on to tell me about A restaurant she had
previously owned and operated, located near our Airport.
I was enlightened further, as she
continued…explaining her current activities and
voluntary “Secretarial” duties at her church.
As
Betty spoke, I wouldn’t have guessed, from her
appearance that she had done any of these things.
Betty spoke at a steady pace, offering bits of
other interesting things about her past.
It seemed almost as if she was reinforcing herself
as she spoke. Remembering
that she had been a very active person in her community
and was trying to continue in the same vein.
Betty
told me of her family. She had three children whom were very successful in their own
right. Betty
told me about her daughter who had dated a very famous
singer, how she and her husband had been invited along
with their daughter, to the “Star’s” palatial home.
I was given all the details regarding the meeting
of the Mother, Dad and agent of this “Famous” singer!
I
noticed her demeanor as she talked, I saw things that a
person might miss, if they were not looking.
I saw the “Gleam” in Betty’s eye and the way
she sat up “Straight” and the warm smile that
“Lit” her face. She
was so appreciative in the fact that I was taking the time
to “Listen” to what she was saying.
You
could tell that her thoughts were drifting to another
time. A time
of youth, a time of raising her children, the joy her
Grandchildren brought into she and her husband’s life’s.
Along
with all of the wonderful memories she cherished.
Then
I realized once again…how much this person loved life
and had lived a good productive one!
Betty looked every bit of “Eighty Something”
and the years had certainly taken their toll on her body.
Inside though, in her heart and mind…she was not
that “Old Lady” that she presented herself to the
world as.
Inside,
she didn’t gage her memories by “Age” when she felt
her heart swell with remembering things of her youth, and
I’m sure she felt pride for her family, and perhaps, all
of the accomplishments throughout her long life.
I
believe what Betty is looking for in the winter of her
life, is the “Consideration” that is owed to her or
any “Elder.” They
might not be too active, in today’s sense of the word,
yet, they have contributed much, to this world in their
lifetime and should receive their “Just Desserts!”
The
very thing that “God” has placed on my heart is
this… How
many times have we been guilty of shrugging off an elderly
person?
Thinking
they were too slow, or maybe, they didn’t have anything
“Important” to say, or perhaps they didn’t
understand or whatever else comes to one’s mind when
finding themselves, face to face with the “Elderly.”
Have
you taken notice? When
A younger person accompanies an elderly…. People will
address the “Younger Person?”
It’s as though the elder person didn’t have any
sense of understanding at all, or perhaps, couldn’t hear
or speak!
If
we give it some thought, I am sure we might remember
“Incident’s” where we could have and should have
acted differently, by being helpful, polite or caring
towards that “Elderly” person.
My
wish and daily prayer is that we realize that these same
“Elders” were the backbone of this country that we
have grown up in. It
was their ideas and hard work that have brought us to
where we are today. Each
one of them, I believe, had a dream or has a story to
tell, or maybe they have accomplished something that we
can learn from.
My
thought is this, if we would take a “Minute” from our
“Busy” lives, lend an ear and take an interest in
those stories…. Dreams…. And accomplishments, a lot of
“Wisdom” would be gleaned from them!
My
hope is that this article brings to light the knowledge
that “Elderly”
people want and need companionship, love, understanding
and most of all, our “Utmost Respect!”
In return, we will gain much from their wisdom and
practical insight."
Written
by Judith Johnson Kypta
(All
rights Reserved©2004)
 
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"Concerning
the Elderly" Written
by:
Judith Johnson Kypta©2004
All
rights Reserved
(You can
read more of Judie's inspirational poems and writings by
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WrensWorld.com©2004
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