The Old Made New Again

It was something Merril said yesterday that has stuck with me.
She was talking about the perceived “use by” of older people.  Many seem to have the impression they are just waiting to die.  Their best days are behind them, and it’s a young person’s world.
I will never dispute there is a slowing down and a change of seasons in older age.  Lifestyles can catch up with a person and issues that lay dormant can come to the fore.  I grew up in North Queensland.  It was almost a badge of honour to have the shirt off and almost ignore the sun.  Oh precautions were taken, and sunscreen was applied.  Yet I had no idea of the cumulative effect of the lifestyle I lived. Only now with numerous trips to get sun cancers cut out, can I see that maybe the way I lived was not such a good idea.
Yet older age brings advantages too.  Our church is full of older people.  That can be seen as a disadvantage, and we are working on getting the balance right.  These days younger ones are coming and staying.  It was a comment from one that caused me to see this as an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
There is a staying power associated with older people.  Often they have “been there and done that” and learned from the experience.  As is commonly said, experiences can make a person bitter or better and the difference is the “I.”
It is good to talk to and associate with those made better by experience.  Often they have gone through things I do well to avoid.  Listening helps.  I do not want to make all the mistakes there are to be made.  I don’t need to.  Older people can help younger ones avoid the unnecessary.
Many older people have a wealth of helpful experience.