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Age is Just a Number?
March 20, 2009
Do you wonder why so many people want to prolong their appearance and defy their age? Is it a question of youth? Perhaps it's a question of vanity. For me it is a strong belief that to get old in the United States is a death sentence long before death claims us for another adventure. Our country is one of the few that decide quickly how best to hide those with the age and wisdom to teach us. We place them in homes where those strong memories and wonderful assets grow old with them and eventually pass into history. I find this repulsive on many levels. This is one of the worlds strongest countries. A place where many world members wish to live for the means to have a life that is not available to them in the country that they'd called home. It is the primary reason we are strong that diversity of human knowledge and background.
Many years ago I agreed and heartedly so that in the event that something would happen to my dad I would move my parents location in order to assist my mom and dad to live their lives in the comfort of the life they've lived. I am quite happy that this call has not come but fully prepared to keep my promise.
I wonder why we do such things to those who have raised us, taught us and have even financed us? I wonder why in a country as great as we claim to be we rely little on those with experience and even less on our younger generations who we claim have yet to gain experience? Is it a question of age? Can it be that only those from the age of thirty to sixty have all the necessary answers to the game of life? From what I see it is a question of simple discrimination and perhaps another "noble lie." In many other cultures and ethnic groups our older generations still remain revered. To my own disgust I remember as a younger man making fun of those of asian or latino decent simply because so many lived together in one home. I used to believe it was because of some financial frugality and learned far later that it was the design of these groups of people that their elders compromise the essence of a matriarchal or patriarchal hierarchy. In simple terms, grandparents, parents and any older member of the family were believed to be the best choice to keep a family unit in touch with the wisdom and lineage of those who came before and those who will come afterward.
In our country "old age" homes have become a commercial endeavor. A place where one who now has nothing is given nothing in return. A visit to a member of the family in such a situation is looked upon by the kids as blah and by the parents as a chore. Granted this is not the case for all and for those who still believe in a family structure my applause. Too many of us have learned to easily how to dispose of the things that we feel contribute little to our lives and that in all ways is to our shame. This is evident in the way we treat our families as well as the way we treat and interact with the world around us. It is time for a change yet not just in a political arena but in all avenues that we find ourselves on.
I am over fifty (just) and my mom, dad and grandmother are still around. My mom spends many days visiting and spending time with my grandmother even though on many days my grandma hasn't a clue as to who is it that is in the room with her. I only wish that I will have the fortitude and love that she offers her mother in all ways everyday and will state that this example makes it very clear that the promise I made to their attorney's long ago will happen. Life is a short deal. We do not think so when we are younger and wish for time to go faster and when we are older we wish that time would slow down a bit. Time is not anything but a constant and something that we have as yet no option to change. Regardless of what you believe happens after your moral life has ended we all must try to understand and revere those who have given us life, roots and a sense of belonging. Imagine the changes in our lives if we could embrace our families rather than look for the first excuse to lose them in a shuffle of life cards.
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For too long I've messed with the wiring in my head. Now it shorts out more oft than not. But at my age I just sit and enjoy the sparks. RJM '07
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