Are They Aging Parents or Golden Oldies?

The great thing about getting older is that you don’t lose all the other ages you’ve been.   ~ Madeleine L’Engle

As a baby boomer, I agree completely with this quote and it explains why I look at senior citizens as Golden Oldies! My cousin, Janet, coined this phrase to refer to our aging parents and relatives, and it is a perfect description of senior citizens.

Caregiving for aging parents, relatives, neighbors and/or friends is a very, very difficult job. Yes, we get frustrated, overtaxed, overwhelmed, and even angry at times. However, one thing I’ve gotten from my caregiving experiences is a much deeper appreciation for the Golden Oldies in my life and in the world.

I used to get completely annoyed when I’d have to interact with “old people.” They were so slow, so rigid, so afraid of the outside world, so b-o-r-i-n-g, and sometimes even downright mean! As I’ve matured and become a caregiver I have certainly changed my point of view 180 degrees.

Senior citizens are treasure troves of wisdom and experience! They are filled with knowledge and tools to share with us about how to live our lives more easily and richly. We should honor and cherish their life journeys, rather than not have the patience nor take the time to listen to what they have to say.

• Where else can you hear story after story about your family’s history?
• Learn about your town’s past and growth to what it is today?
• Find out about your favorite hobby’s start and/or development?
• How your family’s morals and values have evolved?
• Listen to old jokes, stories or songs?
• How they make those great recipes you’ve been enjoying since childhood?
• What times were like in the past in our country and the world?

What wonderful things have you learned from the Golden Oldies in your life?

Please take a moment to share it in the comment form below.

Warmly,

Linda

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