The Aging Population

As much as most people hate to admit it, some more than others, we are all getting older. Unfortunately, it is often our elders who get thought of the least and sometimes even forgotten among our busy schedules.

Image courtesy of Google Images

How often do you visit your parents or grandparents? When you do, is it just because? Would you take time out of your super busy day to sit and talk to an elderly person?

The other day, I went next door to ask my 90 year old neighbor a question and as I headed home (an hour and fifteen minutes later), it dawned on me that one day I would be where she is. And if I’m lucky, I hope I will be as half as sharp.

Think about the elderly neighbor down the street that always waves as you drive by. Do the younger generations even look in your direction as you pass by? They probably don’t. How about the lady next door who will take time out of her day to explain how to grow those tomatoes just right? What about the nice gentleman who, after 40 years of marriage, still pulls the chair out for his wife at dinner?  Ah, manners and chivalry, they’re becoming a lost art.  In reality, there are still so many things we could learn from our elders if we would just put down the Smartphone, laptop, iPad, etc.

We miss out on so much knowledge simply because we have become a generation that does not have the patience to sit and listen to someone who can give us a firsthand account of some the world’s most famous events. This may be someone who was there as the details unfolded or the latest and greatest products were unveiled.

Remember, computers did not always exist; someone had to create the very first one. In today’s society of instant everything, we sometimes forget to slow down and recognize and thank our prior generations for paving the way.