Old Age is Not for Sissies!!
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.