Old people are awesome

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Old people are awesome. Did you know that, on Clove Island, there's a different greeting to use for older (and more respected) people? If I slipped up and didn't greet an elder with the right phrase my language helpers would chew me out for my lapse of respect.

This last weekend I visited one of my few remaining older relatives. Referred to as "the G.A.," a reference to one of Arthur Ransome's books, Aunt Vivian is one of my favorite people to visit. She's lived in the same retirement community since before I can remember and every visit is a special experience.

Why are old people awesome? Let's start the list:

1) they can take life at a slower pace (and often do). Just walking into the retirement community reminds me of this as older couples and individuals wander the grounds at a gentle pace. Granted, there are the people who get too zippy because they've got their walker to keep them upright, but the vast majority move at an easy pace and it's fun trying to fit in. Two TV shows and dinner with friends as a full day's work? Great! Pottering around with woodworking tools and fixing clocks for friends? Perfect!

2) they have perspective on life. When a 15 year old says "in my experience" I can shrug it off, but when an 85 year old says it I have to listen. That's more than triple my life experience, and the wisdom that comes with age is amazing. I love hearing the perspective that time can give.

3) they're still living and changing. I remember sitting with a group of retirees, listening to their discussion of happenings around the community-- who's in the hospital, who's dating whom(!), who's getting too much involved in other people's lives, who's working on what project currently. They may stop, but not for long! And there are many opportunities for them to keep learning.

The G.A.   =)

4) they've learned how to take joy from others' experiences. Just because these folks can't go mountain climbing doesn't mean they don't enjoy seeing their friends' and relatives' pictures and hearing their stories of adventure. And as a bonus it's a great opportunity for them to reminisce about their own adventures.

5) they have the opportunity to give back to their communities. While the younger generation rushes around, the older generation can help out. What better use of retirement is there than volunteering in the community?

On Clove Island, elders are respected. They often know words for things that the younger generation have forgotten or adopted the French terms. They can tell stories, legends, proverbs, riddles, and my language helpers would often ask their grandparents whenever I stumped them with a language or culture question.

Old people are awesome, right?