My 98 year-old friend had a twinkle in her eye and a sly grin on her face. “Isn’t it odd that people talk about the wisdom of us old people, but no one asks for it?”
I almost dropped my fork. Her question was both blunt and unnerving.
It made me wonder why we don’t ask older adults to share the wisdom they’ve gained over a lifetime of experiences. Is it that we look at their gray heads and slumping shoulders and think to ourselves that anything they have to say about living life is terribly out-of-date? Do we unintentionally discount their opinions and thoughts because they are not up-to-speed with the latest electronic gadgets?
How long has it been since you asked an older adult to share her wisdom? How long has it been since you’ve asked what she’s learned in her long life that could help you in your journey? Well… that’s too long.
When my husband’s grandma was alive we would talk about what life was like for her. She’d lived through some tough times. Her wisdom seemed so lost on her own children. But I wanted to hear it. I mean, any woman who was married for 65 years to the same man has something to say!
Her wisdom was all about taking the time to enjoy life. And not the big trips or the shiny cars. But what’s around us. The simple moments of family. Slow down. Get to know your kids. Stay close. Spend time.
The times I had to speak with just her were so valuable to me.