Helping Those Who Came Before Us

Without our elderly citizens and all that they have done for us America would not be what it is today. So, we owe it to them to make their later years as fruitful as their younger ones hopefully were.

Growing old in America is tough for many. Many of us begin to work when we are in our teens. Then we get full-time jobs which with luck lead to retirement sooner rather than later. But often retirement does not come until we reach our sixties and seventies.

By this time, we are no longer the people we once were. The mind is not as sharp. The body is not as strong. The energy levels are lower. We do not see or hear as well. This is all a part of the aging process.

It is in this part of life that many need help. And whether the elderly have blessed others in the past or not does not matter. We should offer help to all. If they accept it, fine. If they criticize us while we are giving help, do it anyway. If they do not want help, then at least we tried.

This help can come in many ways. We can take them to church. We can pick up their mail for them. We can take them for a drive in the country. We can do yardwork for them. We can go for a walk with them. Do house repairs. Buy them groceries. Pick up medications for them. Even if they can do these things themselves their schedules may not allow them to.

It is not only physical help that we can give. We can give them an ear to listen. Many elderly people do not have family or friends to talk and share time with. A visit from a loved one or someone in the community can boost their spirits. We can listen to their stories and share a laugh or two.

We can also fight for their safety and rights. The elderly should be provided with everything that they need. Whether it be housing, food, health care, transportation if needed. Our elderly should lack nothing. And their concerns should be our concerns.

There are many reasons that we should do this. The biggest one is that the elderly took care of us when we were young and they had the energy to do it. They provided us with food, clothing and shelter. They educated us. They helped us hone our skills and talents. They gave us their knowledge and wisdom.

The elders are a blessing to us whether directly or indirectly. It is up to us to repay them for the love that they have shown to us.