Issue 50.10
When the gray hairs start to appear and your nest empties, you know you are one of those “senior citizens.” Looking in the mirror, you can’t imagine how you aged so quickly. It’s been a journey filled with daily challenges and lessons to learn. Now you are “mature,” there should be some wisdom you have gathered to share with your loved ones.
You’ll probably find that your family is too busy to even slow down long enough to speak to you on the telephone, let alone visit with you. In order to communicate, you may have to get into their online world of emailing, texting or Facebooking to make contact. Forget the “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks” idea and become acquainted with the new technologies available to help you link up with your family. No computer? Visit your local library or a neighbor. Take a class. Ask your grandkids for help. They’ll love to teach you how to use the computer and its many programs. You may even become the recipient of their old outdated computer.
Soon you’ll find yourself looking forward to electronic visits with family, if you live some distance from them. “Skyping” will seem natural as you talk face to face free online with the aid of a computer camera and a mike. Now is the time to connect and share what you’ve learned with your family about life. Don’t be shy; encourage them now in their daily struggles. Find opportunities to connect and communicate. Open your mouth and be supportive. It’s time to casually share the wisdom you’ve picked up over your lifetime.
Retelling stories from your life and how you solved problems that came your way can help your posterity, and even become a guide for them. Just thinking of what you could share with your family can help you understand better the lessons you’ve learned. Your family legacy, traits and values handed down from your parents and grandparents will only be passed on, if you open your mouth. Touch the hearts of your children and help them along their path as they follow in your footsteps. The holidays are a perfect time to share memories from your earlier life with your family. It will be cathartic for you and a treasure to your family. You might consider writing down some of your experiences with your family, growing up or special times with your grandparents. It’s not too late to purchase a collection of the first two years of these columns Looking Back…at the Good Old Days. Available from Lin 435 628-8522 for $10.