“When a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library disappears.” – An old African proverb.
I read an article today in my local newspaper titled “Older People Have Knowledge to Share—If We Just Listen,” by Bob Rudy. It caught my attention for several reasons. One reason is that I spent time as a hospice volunteer a few years ago, listening to the fascinating stories of people’s lives. Not only were their stories interesting to me, but the way their faces lit up as they shared them was a gift for both of us.
I have also been working on my family’s genealogy for over 20 years. I was fortunate to start this project while my parents were still alive, and as I delved into it, I found myself eager to learn more about their childhoods. Both of my parents have been gone for a long time now, and I often find myself wishing I had asked them more questions. I honestly can’t imagine what it would be like to have never taken the time to get to know them. It’s true that with each family member who passes away, a whole library of knowledge disappears.
Another reason this subject resonates with me is that I am a storyteller myself, and, as the younger generations call us, I am an older person. I appreciate the phrase “getting older is not for wimps,” as it captures the challenges of this stage in life. We must work hard to hold on to what we have. At times, it feels as though we are slowly disappearing, fading away as we lose our hearing, sight, coordination, and many other faculties that were once a part of our youth. However, when asked to share one of our stories, we become energized. Our eyes light up, and for a moment, we may feel that our lives matter again. And you might be surprised to discover that listening to a real-life story is much like the ones you read in a book borrowed from the library.
Embracing The Wrinkles of Time 