Ninety and Counting

This past weekend we had the wonderful privilege of helping my great aunt celebrate her 90th birthday. She looked wonderful for 90 and, although a bit tired, was very happy.

It was really great timing because on Thursday and Friday I had spent some time at the local Christian homeschooling conference and heard some good speakers. A couple times throughout the two days I heard speakers make reference to the wealth of knowledge and valuable experience that the elderly people in our society have. One of the speakers likened the death of an elderly person to the closing of a library. I think that is a rather profound statement when you consider all the things that a 90 year old woman has seen change in her lifetime. I love listening to my great aunt tell us stories from when she was growing up. Her world was so different from ours.

What a treasure we have in our elderly friends and relatives and how many times do we say that we are just too busy to spend time with them? It's a shame, too because just loves to be surrounded by all of the little kids!

It's a good thing that she is the tough little Polish lady that she is...she lives in a changing neighborhood and has been robbed three times in the last year - twice while she was actually at home!!! Boy did she give those men a what-for when she figured out what they were up to!

The events of the past weekend brought it to my attention again...we really need to make time for those around us who are elderly and lonely. We both benefit from spending time together. So what if she can't see us clearly or even hear exactly what we are saying...the smile on her face (see above) when she is surrounded by young people is worth the time and effort!