The Wonder & The Wisdom

I've heard it said that each of us needs to spend a little time each week with someone under 5 and someone over 70. The little ones share the wonder of the world and the seniors can share the wisdom.

I must admit that one of the things I enjoy about my visits with LouLou, is I feel so young. 102 makes almost everybody young in comparison!

Today, we had our usual impromptu "Sing" in the living room. About 10 residents had gathered and we were having a grand time. I got them talking about their childhoods. Most of them remember the Great Depression. Most of them remember they were content, since they lived on farms and always had plenty to eat.

These dear old folks are not troubled by the current economy. Like children, most of them are not even really aware of the troubles facing our nation. Their basic needs are met. Their lives have come full circle. I felt encouraged by them. They have endured. They find joy in simple pleasures, like a smile. Or a serving of ice cream.

I'll leave you with this photo of my husband's grandmother. She is pictured on their farm in what is now Jacksonville, FL with her sister. Meet Elsie and Zena. I estimate this picture was taken around 1913. Zena lived to 101 years old and had seen the world change.

I am humbled and feel rich and young after my visit today! A healthy dose of perspective is good for the soul.

Wisdom & Longevity in the Land of Cotton

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house I go. I really enjoy my visits to see LouLou. She will be 102 next week so we had our own little celebration on Saturday since I won’t be there on her actual birthday. I am continually amazed at her stamina! She still loves to laugh. It makes me feel really young to go hang out with her since I’m about half her age!

Mayo Clinic researchers have something to say about longevity. They studied the results of a questionnaire designed to rate respondents according to optimism or pessimism.

Follow-up questionnaires showed that the pessimistic participants tended to die earlier than the optimists, regardless of age or sex.

Pessimism can be considered a risk factor for early death.
(Source: Discovery Health)

LouLou recited from Longfellow’s “Psalm of Life” on Sat. these words to live by:
“Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not it’s goal;
Dust thou art to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.”

She knows all 9 stanzas of the poem!

The truth of the matter and the final Word on this subject is from Phil. 4:8,9.
"Finally, brothers, whaetever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things… And the peace of God will be with you."

Note to Self: Older is Happier

I had time to flip through a magazine yesterday when I was in the hair salon. This title grabbed me.

Note to Self: Older is Happier

"Though we as a society extol the years of early adulthood, research studies have demonstrated that younger adults are not as happy as adults in their older years. In later years, the horizon of time has shifted…"

I was called for my appointment before I finished copying the entire quote, but it went on to say that as we get older, we tend to live in the present more than at any time in our lives. When we're young, we often press to the future so hard that we miss things. When we're very old, we tend to live in the past. But right now, I'm in the middle, and I can savor the present. I suppose I haven't totally embraced the whole concept yet in that I take ridiculous pleasure in the fact that I "just" qualify as those in later years. Since my grandmother is 101, I fugure I "just" arrived at middle age at 50. I am encouraged with the thought that I have lots of happiness ahead.

If you want the quote verbatim, it's in September Songs: The Good News about Marriage in the Later Years by Maggie Scarf which will be released Sept. 4.

The Circle of Life

I want to steal away for a visit with LuLu tomorrow. (She is my 101 year old grandmother.) The house needs cleaning, laundry is in piles and I have work to catch up on. But I suspect there will always be the pressing matters that would divert our attention from what’s truly important. When I point my car to Alabama for this monthly jaunt, I feel like I am truly going back in time. Probably because LuLu can tell me stories like no one else can – like the tale of the uncle that helped save the town of Elba from Union attack. Yes, she remembers knowing someone who fought in the Civil War! And yes, I hear the same stories repeated many times. But it’s sweet. I used to think it was depressing to visit nursing homes or assisted living places. I’m not sure what changed in me that erased that feeling. (Probably having a dear one who lives there.) Now I think the residents of these places are treasures. I could volunteer for hospice or in the kindergarten and feel just as comfortable in either setting. The old and infirm are indeed making the cycle back into childhood and have much in common with the 5 year olds.

Down the hall from LuLu lives the woman who was her best friend for a t least 30 years. Ouida has Alzheimer’s and doesn’t even recognize her own children anymore. She happily carries around a baby doll and bounces it on her knees. But to my amazement, when I sit down at the piano and crank out the old hymns, she can sing right along. The words must flow out of a deep well in her spirit and she directs an imaginary choir joyfully with her hands. What medical text could explain why she can’t remember her own name but can sing all 4 verses to “Amazing Grace”?

So you see why I would rather make the trip to Alabama than check off more things on my “to do” list? I am richer for it.