Old Folks
A young friend was upset the other day. When I inquired why, she said that her great-grandfather was in the hospital. As she teared up and her voice broke, she explained that she had never experienced the death of a family member.
I told her then what I wish someone would have told me — directly — when I was her age:
Go tell him you love him and that you’ll miss him when the day comes for him to go. Tell him you’ll always remember all of his stories. Laugh with him while he’s here and hug his neck. If he’s laid up in the hospital, bring him pictures that will cheer him up. Depending on his condition, bring him his favorite foods and snacks. Walk his dog if he has one.
In other words, take advantage of the warning because, sometimes, we don’t get warnings.
Respect and protect the older people in your life who have loved you. Never make them feel like a burden.
The prevailing culture isn’t ours. We can change it; we can make it better. We are nurturers and warriors.
