Remembered Times Issue 13 Home Page

Closing the Gap Between Old and Young Photo from Sylvia Bopp "A few years ago my boyfriend and I invited our neighbor on a Sunday to drink tea with us. She was a 89-year-old woman whose husband had recently died." Sylvia Bopp from Switzerland In the western industrialized world we tend to group people by age. We put our 3-year-olds together in day-care centers, our 13-year-olds in special sport activities or holiday-camps, and our 80-year-olds in senior-citizen homes. Right now, I'm thinking about the reason why we are separating people by age? There are many reasons it has to be this way, but sometimes I think it's because of ignorance, prejudice and lack of alternatives. Furthermore, I have to admit that it is also because of an unconscious fear. What is everybody afraid of? We can answer these questions very easily. Don't we sometimes avoid the old to evade fears of aging and dying? On occasion I realize that I rarely spend time with elderly people although there are plenty of opportunities to meet them. Moreover, I have always had a good time being with them. When I think of my own experience with my grandmother, I remember her as a person who always had the patience to listen to me. One of her best traits was her understanding which gave me a deep sense, that things work out in the end. Photo: S. Peters "In general, we are not able to cope with age and death; but the closer we keep the relationship with the old, the more natural things may seem to us." The elderly people have plenty of time and a rich long life-experience. They possess a wisdom we don't have yet, but we could learn from. A few years ago my boyfriend and I invited our neighbor on a Sunday to drink tea with us. She was an 89-year-old woman whose husband had recently died. It took us several weeks to make up our minds to invite her because we were always very busy. I still remember very well what a relaxing and interesting afternoon we spent together. Even after moving to another town, we still keep in touch, even if it's only for a short visit once a year. Most of the time we are very much concerned about ourselves, and we forget about the true values in life. In general, we are not able to cope with age and death; but the closer we keep the relationship with the old, the more natural things may seem to us. I believe we need to reconnect the old and the young for our own mental and social health. They give you knowlege, love or, at least, good memories. More Memories: No Magic Box in Our Living Room | Remembering My Two Grandmothers Childhood Memory: My Other Home Return to: Remembered Times Page | Issue 13 | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine - ©1997-2008 - Sandy and Thomas Peters topics.mag@gmail.com