What have you learned from an old person?

[Zerg]

I had an interesting conversation with an old 89 year old African Jewish lady. She says God helps you to help yourself. She has been to London, Israel, Germany and now South Africa. She was an orphan in the World War Two. She has many medals from comrades marathons. She stays strong despite living a poor life and, not having any close family and being a widow.

She was educated in a Catholic school, she was not allowed to show her Jewish religion star of David at her house. She had to rediscover what she was. She believes that God will bless you 70 times 7. For some reason she called me Michael.

She said that I am not the first person to ask if she is willing to write a book. She wants to be remembered purely for who she is. Like. She doesn’t want to make money from a book. I think I had a rare opportunity to meet and talk with this lady that took an interest in me.

Her brother is 105 years old.

 

[margaret42]

My grandmother used to say, “people are known by the company they keep”. makes a lot of sense!

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

That romantic dating relationships are still possible even if you’re 100.

 

[2towers]

They know a lot more about the importance of human dignity, and know how to treat others, far better than younger people. They are also of course, very aware just how precious life really is.

 

[Augustinian]

Always treasure old people, listen to what they have to say. They aren’t going to be around forever, death or dementia isn’t that far away.

 

[alice24]

Sadly, not much. From persons in history I’ve learned much and honour some of them as some kind of spiritual family. My patents are not old enough to be count here, and the older generation I got to know here has been morally more questionable than the actual sometimes.

 

[Rob2]

My Grandma used to say , “There’s nowt so queer as folk.”

 

[Mtdobbs]

My grandfather would sarcastically say “ It’s a good life… if you don’t weaken”

I use work at special care home 20 years ago and there was a woman who was 95 and she was completeley sound in mind. The stories and details she would tell me were better than any movie or book. She would stay up later than any other person and I would shut the tv off and she would tell me about WW1, the Great Depression, the titanic and where she was and what she did during her these times. During the Great Depression, she said that because her family owned a farm, they would have 30-40 people for supper most nights. It was such a Christian witness to hear. She made so many jokes and was so positive about everything.

 

[christofirst]

Patience. My mom is about to turn 92, and I need to constantly remind myself to go slow with her; to be gentle and patient.

 

[Pup7]

Patience. My mom is about to turn 92, and I need to constantly remind myself to go slow with her; to be gentle and patient.

My mom is 84 and I have the same problem. I think it’s hard for me sometimes to realize that she’s not the person I think she is anymore. I don’t see her face to face very often and I picture her in my head as years younger than she actually is. But she’s not anymore, and I have to consciously remember that. It’s no excuse for not being patient for certain.

 

[Bluebright]

My best friend is 82 (I’m 46) we met at a church group 2yrs ago and bonded over the fact that we come from the same country, in fact our little towns are merely 2km’s apart (small rural towns on the South coast of South Africa and we both live on the South Coast of England now). She teaches me new things all the time, mostly she teaches me how to love and forgive my parents and see things from their point of view. This is something I struggle with at times, I think it might be that I am not a parent and though I try I don’t always get how that connection is except from my side. Even when she is just telling me about her children and her worries and fears for them, I start wondering if that’s how my parents felt or feel or have acted and it really helps me be more sensitive and forgiving.

 

[yankeesouth]

An old man once told me that retirement is for freeing up more time for doctor appointments. He was right.