For three days straight, I was given an opportunity to surround myself with older folks, and sure as hell, I accepted each one.
I sincerely enjoy the presence of old people. It's like a history book back to life with the addition of everything undisclosed: pain, agony, loss, hardship, family, tradition and so much more!
As I often tower above their wilted bodies in physical stature, heaven knows I am bowing internally with respect and admiration.
Saturday, February 29, 2020:
The turning of age offers a plethora of phases, events and opportunities. As a young adult, we joyously experience a number of weddings, birthdays, graduations, baptisms and so on. Commonly, the celebration held off until later years is the burial of family and friends- the funeral. My grandmother is among that demographic regularly celebrating the loss of family members and friends.
It was that time once again, so I volunteered to escort my grandmother to her friend's funeral service. And surely enough, glad I did!
I was introduced to Catholicism including its culture, prayers and traditions at a young age. While attending mass every Sunday, I was forced to listen, observe and respect its values and beliefs. Once old enough, I begun to question what I was taught while much of it no longer aligned with my interpretations and understandings of personal experiences.
To this day, I do not consider myself religious as I am spiritual. Though, what I continue to respect about religions are their traditions, discipline, unity and other values pertaining to prayer, peace and practice.
I am not fully convinced of its ideologies about death; though, when attending funerals, I remain present to certain beliefs with few exceptions and considerations on my part. For example, I continue to make the sign of the cross, stand with others, and pray to the deceased. In the particular instance of death, I do not show up to honor a single god or to surrender my own values in accordance to the priest's commands. Rather, I stand in honor of life lost, and to support the grief graciously emptied from the hearts of loved ones.
It is nothing less than a spiritual fulfillment to be in the presence of older age as it provides a perspective on time, wisdom of growth and a blessing to thyself disguised in grey.
To top it all off, I had the pleasure of enjoying conversation with these long lost, nearly forgotten treasures of life who still had a breath and a damn to give.
Sunday, March 1, 2020:
I accepted the invite from a dear friend to accompany him at Francine Reed's live performance at The Nash. Being my first one ever, I hadn’t a single idea what to expect, so I walked in with absolutely zero expectations.
My first observation- I was the youngest one in the room!
My following thought- “Just my luck!”
At first, I was the loudest to yell and cheer following each song. But shortly thereafter, the crowd was beginning to come alive. And to feel that older energy was all so powerful, unfamiliar and contagious at the same time!
To enjoy and appreciate a genre of music and culture once popular but now lost beneath the syncopation of today's contemporary sounds, is humbling beyond lyrics anymore. Shoulders were shakin’, moods were lifted and folks were groovin’! It was a nice change of atmosphere from what I’d been accustomed to.
Nonetheless, Francine Reed and her crew did not disappoint. In fact, I am attending the show next month if interested!
Monday, March 2, 2020:
My grandmother and two-dozen of her friends dedicate the first Monday of each month to gather for a luncheon. A different woman is assigned every four weeks to plan and coordinate reservations at a restaurant of her choice. This has been a tradition for years!
Typically, there is anywhere from 18-24 women who attend, much of it depending on health conditions and medical appointments. Being one of the few things my grandmother looks forward to, I volunteered to take her. And this time, she gave me the option of joining. And sure as hell, I said yes!
Fortunately, I was on the entire group’s nice list because I’d sent each of them a hand-written holiday letter last December.
Upon arrival, I introduce myself and said my ‘hello’s’; meanwhile, I had the biggest grin on my face. I was, by far, the luckiest man in the restaurant. I took advantage of the knowledge, wisdom and experience around that table and immersed myself in as much conversation I could without talking with a mouthful.
A few things we discussed, included:
Migration-War-Mining Business-Studies-Travel-Friends-The Past, Present and Future-Times Before Electricity-Today’s Developmental Setbacks-Discoveries-Evolution-Health/Wellness-Family-And so much more!
….Not the usual table topics about babies, puppies, complaints and gossip.
Which is why I take full advantage of moments like this, and you should too. Because there will come a day when you look around the table and realize you are the oldest one- don’t get me wrong, this day will be beautiful and one to look forward to- but take advantage of learning from the oldest minds while they’re around and well.
They make me rounded yet sharper, smarter, stronger and wiser. They force me to think differently, as if I lived through their years with the tools I currently have, and vice versa. But ultimately, they make me appreciate every second of life.
Much of why I do what I do is to uphold and maintain the values and traditions of these older folks including deceased ancestors from centuries ago. Their sprit lives on!
Son of Mark
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