Sliding into irrelevance
Something about this old rusty Folgers coffee can lying out in the rain, amongst pine needles and old bricks, really spoke to me. (It was that kind of day.)
The rusty coffee can started me thinking about aging. Whereas we thought we'd be cherished as we got older - after all, there's all that living we've done, all the water under the bridge and over the dam, all that accumulated wisdom gained from our great wealth of 'life experience,' it doesn't seem to work out that way.
We ought to be the most revered people on the planet. But I think that in this country, anyway, as people age we slide into 'irrelevance.' We're not the people whose opinion 'matters.' We're no longer the movers and shakers - although we do know:
We ought to be the most revered people on the planet. But I think that in this country, anyway, as people age we slide into 'irrelevance.' We're not the people whose opinion 'matters.' We're no longer the movers and shakers - although we do know:
- how to live within our means,
- to save for something before we buy it,
- to look at something and see another use for it rather than throwing it out,
- how to live on a shoestring and not feel deprived,
- enough to ignore much of the fashion world that wants us to keep buying more
- that true happiness is not something we gain from other people, but from our relationship with God and an understanding that we are sinners saved by grace,
- that every good and perfect gift comes from our Father in heaven, not from the federal government.
- that very few things are important enough to split up friendships and families
- to carefully ponder whether it's God honoring to do so.
***
And just in case my children are wondering: No, I do not feel discarded. :-) But I do think that we, as a nation, don't realize the wealth of wisdom in the collective 'elderly' that is discarded, rather than mined and treasured.
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'Figgy Pudding'
Fig, Brown Sugar, Spice
natural, handcrafted vegan soap
I don't mean this bitterly at all - but I totally agree with you Judy. My blog has the word crone in it - wise older woman - years ago I would go to my mother or MIL. Not that way anymore. We have so much wisdom - love and faith to share.
ReplyDeleteLove, sandie
PS When you look at the can - I see beauty there - and I think others may see it as just an old can. sandie
ReplyDeletei love the can and agree 100 percent with every word you said here and you did said it perfectly. and i to, know all those things you listed, my children do not, and that i can not understand. i learned it from my parents so why did mine not learn it from me.
ReplyDeleteI am standing up applauding this post! Bless you, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI see beauty in the can for sure and you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. It is the way of the world, unfortunately...and I think the younger generations are not seeing it because they 1) Have been given so much and have not gone hungry, and 2) Are being indoctrinated in schools.
ReplyDeleteHang on, we are in for a bumpy ride!
I agree with you too. The old coffee can reminded me of my grandmother who used them to make suet pudding at Thanksgiving. Fond memories for me!
ReplyDeleteI certainly agree! But then I love all things old!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't know where this non-appreciation of older generations is from. It is so sad. We have a relation (she is a cousin once removed) who is in her 80s that is so so sad her children and grandchildren don't want to help her clean out her things. This is stuff she has been saving for years, to pass down to the next generation and none of them want it! None of them ever what to look at to make her happy! They just tell her she has too much stuff and to throw it all out! My sister and I are going to honor her and help her clean it out. Of course, we are not at all against the idea of ending up with a few more "oldies but goodies"! :)
Right. I have noticed since I went grey this summer that I am often ignored and overlooked because of it. This attitude that young people have that they know everything is remarkable to me. I could go on and on but will not. You said it best.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on this post! I love that scone recipe! Looks delicious. I've only had pomegrantes one time before and it was in a salad. Very nice!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree too, and with Jillian's comment as to the ride getting bumpy!
ReplyDeleteThis is a neat old can. I would like to see older people honored and respected more. I will be old...one of these days! (I'm not ready yet!)
ReplyDeleteIt isn't just older, it's better, just like us :)
ReplyDeleteWhat was it they used to say back in the 1960's.... "Never trust anyone over 30." I never could make sense of that saying, because my grandparents were awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour post today is right on. You are so right. Thank you for saying it so well.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside...my soaps arrived today and I am thrilled! Awesome product and great service. Thank you!
Thank you for writing this. I have noticed that young people do not care to honor the elderly like we were raised to do. My mother says she is one of only a few friends who have grown grandchildren who frequently call and visit. I am proud of my kids for that, but frankly, I did raise them to honor her so their behavior does not surprise me and of course makes me proud. My friends are surprised that my kids visit their grandma on their own. ?????
ReplyDeleteI see beauty in that can, and wow do I ever see wisdom in this post.
ReplyDeleteMaybe every generation feels like this as it ages, but this is the biggest demographics to do so ever...
Lets hope that the younger ones learn before it's too late.
Jen
Oh Judy...this is just beautiful and wonderful thoughts for us older people. Thoughts that I am beginning to relate to more and more as the days go by. Love & Hugs, xoxo
ReplyDelete