Nurse Audrey’s Stress Relief Blog

Do you wonder like I do where the years have gone? They tend to creep up on us, and before we know it everyone looks older than we do.

Senior Awareness Week has just passed here in Alberta, and June 15th is designated World Abuse Day. It is interesting to note that these significant events take place in the spring. It reminds me that even as we age, we can still have a vision for our future.

But I want to address the treatment of our elders.
A few days ago, while I was sitting on the bus heading downtown, two elderly ladies entered looking for a seat. One twenty-something lady stood giving up her seat, while the other senior stood grasping the handrail, swaying as the bus wove its way through the traffic.

I was seated beside the window with a young person beside me. Before I could get up and offer the elderly lady my seat, a middle-aged lady beat me to it. There were a number of younger passengers nearby, but none seemed to care or notice the elderly lady clutching the handrail. As the compassionate passenger gave up her seat she quipped, “I guess none of the younger ones noticed!”

Thoughts crossed my mind that many of us do not think of what it means to be getting older. We are too wrapped up in our own little world! The truth is that eventually everyone, barring early death, will be aged, and will wish that someone-especially a younger person-would take interest and show them some kindness.

I ask you to think on these points:

• How are you treating your elders?
• Are you teaching your children by your compassionate example?
• Treat all the aged as you would want to be treated when you are older.
• Keep your eyes open for opportunities to be kind to the elderly.
• Your parents with their faults did the best they could in raising you. We live in a much more enlightened age than they did.
• Forgiveness is a gift we can all extend, especially to the elderly close to us.

Old Age is not a Disease.
Old age is not a disease-it is (wisdom),
strength and survivorship,
triumph over all kinds of vicissitudes and
disappointments, trials and illnesses.
                                               Maggie Kuhn

I welcome your feedback. Contact me at audrey@nurseaudrey.com 

Until next time, this is “Nurse Audrey” signing off. 

Dear readers:
Please pass this along to your father, husband and any other father you know that will enjoy it. 

Father’s Day is only a few days away and it is time for all of us to honor our fathers.

We should honor our fathers because:

• Of the important, but difficult role they have as leaders, providers, and caregivers in the home.
• They are often portrayed on TV sitcoms and in commercials as being weak, inadequate, or even dumb.
• Even in these busy, fast moving days, they often sacrifice energy and time to help sustain important family relationships.

Our fathers need our support, encouragement, and praise, and doing so will help them continue to be the kind of Dads we all want to love and appreciate.

I encourage you men to take your place as loving partners and fathers. Allow your softer side to show while you practice the strength and leadership you are meant to have.

My Father

When I was Four years old: My daddy can do anything.
When I was Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.
When I was Six years old: My dad is smarter than your dad.
When I was Eight years old: My dad doesn’t know exactly everything.
When I was 10 years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different.
When I was 12 years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn’t know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
When I was 14 years old: Don’t pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned.
When I was 21 years old: Him? My Lord, he’s hopelessly out of date.
When I was 25 years old: Dad knows about it, but then he should, because he has been around so long.
When I was 30 years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he’s had a lot of experience.
When I was 35 years old: I’m not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
When I was 40 years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise.
When I was 50 years old: I’d give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn’t appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him.

By: Ann Landers

Until next time, this is “Nurse Audrey” signing off.