The Elderly Files: 10-25-05

I love spending time with elderly folks, they are some of the coolest cats I know! Perhaps it's because I'm the oldest grandkid on both sides (things like that happen when your born to teenagers), but it's a fact of my life-I like 'em. Grandpa Weddle is a wise-old soul for whom I have much respect and appreciation. My biological grandma Weddle passed away before I was born, but Fortune smiled on me by not leaving me alone in that quadrant of grandparentness and gave me Grandma Emily. Papaw Phillips passed away a couple of years ago, but for the 28 years I knew him he was one of the main spokes that kept my life rolling. Mamaw Phillips remains an important part of my life to this day. Each one of these corner-stones has recounted many entertaining, inspirational and at times quite hilarious accounts of some of their days-gone-by, and I hope to hear many more of how they got from then to now.

Several weeks ago I joined an amazing company called Home Instead Senior Care that provides non-medical care for the elderly. I get to spend several hours each week visiting and fraternizing with septuagenarians, octogenarians, nonagenarians and other curious creatures with much life experience, and not a little more wisdom than me. It's a fulfilling segment of my life whether we're going out to eat, attending stage productions or just sitting by the fire in a parlor recounting the passage of time they've witnessed and how it compares to today's world.

Due to privacy concerns, I'm not at liberty to reference my clients by name or location, so I'll stick with initials. Right now I'm with a 90+ year old man who I'll call P.C. who is by far one of the more fascinating people I've been privileged to meet. Brilliant and with a storied past (read: Ivy League educated), this man is a fabulous human being who amazes me often with his erudition. I love to read, and that widely, but I've yet to reference an author or work that he doesn't know something about. I recently attended an opera with him presented by the Indiana University School Of Music. The production was Cosi Fan Tutte, subtitled The School For Lovers, and was an entertaining and humorous work to say the least. P.C. told me much about it beforehand, and I've discussed it with him a few times since, and I must say I'm hooked!

In my real estate business some of the more enjoyable clients I've had have been of the elderly variety. Much of the time to them I'm just a "young whippersnapper", but I enjoy the opportunity to represent them in purchases and sales because of their willingness and ability to trust me with their needs. Their confidence is both humbling and motivating. The satisfaction of completing a transaction with them, too, is a grand experience because they are typically very appreciative of an honest days' work. Hat tip to these older Americans!

Here at the bottom of the page may I just add that I feel my life would have been missing some of its more agreeable moments had it not been for the elderly. My advice to all is this: whether you're helping 'em across the street, pushing them in a wheelchair or just sitting around engrossed in conversation, though the walk be a bit slow, the navigation a bit strenuous, or the talking a bit loud, be sure the rewards will be manifold and both immediate and lasting!