Sunday, September 20, 2009

You Go, Girl!

Old people are my favorite hobby. I found this picture over the weekend. I was just trolling through images of old people on the web. This picture sparks my imagination. It makes me wish I could sit down and feast on this woman's company.

Elders have long been a sustaining force for me. As a child, I was nurtured by my grandmother. My entire professional life has centered on elders. The folks I work with now are mostly in their nineties or above. They scoff when I tell them they are beautiful.

They are beautiful. Wrinkles on top of wrinkles, white hair, joints swollen with arthritis. It all tells a story. It is all a testament to endurance. Elders are walking pictures of history.

I love to think about the events that each one has lived through. How has the world changed in their lifetime? What great events in history did they witness firsthand? What do they know about the world that the rest of us are too young to know?

I am blessed by elders every day. What about you? How do they figure into your life? Who would love to just sit and enjoy? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.

The last Word:
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a life of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31, NIV.
Strenthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear. Your God will come."
Isaiah 35: 3,4, NIV.

7 comments:

Laura said...

Gail! I'm so glad to see you back! I've been a poor bloggy person of late...September is a busy month.

I love old people too, work with quite a few. This post is very sweet.

Maybe I'm taking up a new "Hobby"...

Tina said...

Gail,
I have to be honest and say I don't have much contact with elderly folks at all. I have always been saddened by the fact that I never knew any of my grandparents. A friend of mine just started a blog, this post is kind of related. It really made me think as yours has too. Perhaps the Lord is directing me somewhere ...

Here is his blog address if you're interested
http://mcpo-atthegallop.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-day.html

Oh and I love the picture, I struggled with smoking for a long time, hated to give it up but finally did ... I used to say that if I lived to be a hundred I'd take it up again because by then I felt I could do anything I want!

Much Love,
Tina

Amrita said...

Thank you for paasing on the new address to me Gail. I will subscribe to you through bloglines which notifies me whenever you update your blog.

The elderly make up a huge part of my life, both family and church.

Its lovely to see how God has given you tenderness for the silver haired folk.

On thing about the elderly is that they have all the time in the world. They are never in a hurry. They can get tired but they don' t dash around.

Liz said...

Gail,
I love elders too. I occasionally visit one of our local nursing homes, just to brush hair, visit, etc. It is so fun and rewarding. God teaches me so much through these ones who have lived twice as long as myself!
Wonderful photo that you found and a great post! Let's not fear our aging process!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

My life is also surrounded by elders. I call them my "ancients" in the spirit of Hebrews 11. In fact, this was the focus text of my weekend retreat. I can't tell you how many "ancients" were in our midst today. It was my blessing and joy to bend and wash their feet with the truth of God's Word.

Thanks for loving this generation. They are our worthy cause!

peace~elaine

Denise said...

I have missed you dear one. So glad to have you back. I love the elderly, have much compassion for them.

LisaShaw said...

I enjoyed this very much. I have a special HEART for the Elderly.

Blessings and love.