The Gift of Elders
Our culture does not value aging. It demands a special effort to find reasons for gratefulness in getting old. But when we look at the gift that many old people are to younger ones, we find abundant reasons for gratitude. This message board offers a space to share both the stresses and the blessings of old people.

Traveling with a mid-eighties couple to a spiritual retreat was a blessing for me as a mid sixties woman looking at my next birthday! Joy of living and interest in fall colors, children, singing, sharing food and experiences, keeping the faith and being honest were all grateful gifts these two freely and gracefully possessed and shared! Should I live so long, I want to be like that! Kathryn
- Kathryn, Massachusetts   13 Oct 2009

Blessings to Tiger, whom I miss. Caregiver
- Anonymous, Our World   18 Aug 2009

I thank my granny who is 83 years old for showing us the meaning of facing hardships in live and yet retaining that softness in the heart for all who come to her, with good intention or bad intention, and grateful to God for all that she reveals to us through her life, and grateful to God to bless me with loving parents/friends.Thank you so much.
- Nandini, Bangalore   15 Jun 2009

I want to say how thankful I am for my Dad, he will be 80 Saturday.. he has so many health issues , yet he perserveres.. He said he is here still.. for his family.. Happy Birthday Dad.. I love you so much!!
- Carol P, Canada   28 May 2009

I want to say how thankful I am for my Dad, he will be 80 Saturday.. he has so many health issues , yet he perserveres.. He said he is here still.. for his family.. Happy Birthday Dad.. I love you so much!!
- Carol P, Canada   28 May 2009

I want to say how thankful I am for my Dad, he will be 80 Saturday.. he has so many health issues , yet he perserveres.. He said he is here still.. for his family.. Happy Birthday Dad.. I love you so much!!
- Carol P, Canada   28 May 2009

Yesterday an 83 yr old lady taught me a complicated method of embroidery. Her hand shakes a little and is deformed with arthritis. Her eyesight is not what it was. Yet her embroidery is amazing. After a lifetime of making clothes for her family and neighbours, wedding dresses, curtains and sheets, she gives thanks with every stitch because she still can. I am awed by her and am grateful for knowing her.
- S, Italy   7 May 2009

Thank you s, Italy for taking the time to answer my request with thoughts of your own. I will try them with my friend and HOPE I can find something that will help her.
- Nancy, Missouri   5 Apr 2009

Today would have been my parents' 67th wedding anniversary. Dad died Dec. 18, 2008 and Mom followed him 22 days later on Jan. 9, 2009. I miss them every day but today is the WORST!! I just can't stop crying. If you still have either or both your parents, cherish, LOVE, and honor them and THANK GOD DAILY for them!! You don't know what you truly have until they're gone.
- Nancy McBreairty,   5 Apr 2009

Hello, I have not lived this particular experience yet, but I have lived a different type of dark moment... during that time I had a friend who talked to me until she was ‘blue in the face’... looking back I realise the only person who lift me out of the dark was myself. The real help from my friend was simply her ‘being there’, never giving up on me, listening. Being far from my parents and missing my mother’s love, I would cry out ‘no-one loves me’ she found the great courage to say ‘I love you’. It is perhaps the only thing I can remember her saying, that hit home. They were dark times. The miracle is she is still my friend. Is there any creative activity you can do together? (Painting, photography...)
- s, Italy   1 Apr 2009

I have a dear friend whos' Mother died 2 1/2 weeks ago. She just WILL NOT accept the fact that her Mother is gone. She cries continuously, feels that she's losing her mind, is always sad, etc. I have talked till I'm blue in the face and haven't gotten through to her yet. Can anyone tell me what I can say to try and make her feel better? ANYTHING will help! I lost both my parents 22 days apart. I miss them TERRIBLY but as bad as I feel, it doesn't compare to what Ellen is going through. Thanks for any help you can give.
- Nancy, Missouri   30 Mar 2009

I lost my Dad Dec. 18,2008. The last year had been extremely hard on him and he was more than ready to go. He had emphyzema and was on oxygen 24/7 and simply VERY tired. My Mother fell the night he died and wasn't able to go to his funeral. She was in too much pain. I think she mentally "beat herself up" because she couldn't go and she got terribly depressed. She just couldn't get out of bed from Dec. 30th on and January 9, 2009, she died in her sleep. On the 7th, she woke up and we had a WONDERFUL conversation about "this and that". At the end of it, she told me she missed Daddy and she was going to him. I told her I didn't like it but I understood it and I loved her and him VERY much. She layed and stared at the ceiling for about 10 minutes, smiled, closed her eyes and went to sleep. Never opened them again after that and died on the 9th. I KNOW they're both in a FAR BETTER PLACE but that doesn't make the "missing them" any easier to bear. He was 87, she was 85.
- Nancy, Missouri   26 Mar 2009