The old man was settin outide the store on a loafers bench with some old buddys of his. It was summertime and the sun was hot with very little breeze movin. He would nod off to sleep every once inawhile---just as his buddys did. Not much was bein communicater betwix'm as the afternoon sun kept slowly droppin in the western sky. Cigars and cob pipes were lit whenever one would rouse up enough to realize their "smoke" was burned up. Soda pop was sipped throughtout the afternoon--nursin it so no more would have to be bought. At a dime a bottle---why probably close to fifty cents could be "run through" in an afternoon.

Along towards evening these old dudes would start to mosey on towards the place they called home. An empty house void of their lifes mate made for a very lonesome place. A few exceptions were the cat or dog that shared the lonesome life with these old codgers.

Ralph was the oldest of all the old dudes --at 88 years old. His wife of 61 years had died last year and he had allowed well meaning family and friends to talk him into moving to town. He and Maude had lived all their married life in the country on their own 80 acre farm where they had raised two kids. A son, the oldest who lived in California and a daughter who lived in Chicago. Neither had lived close enought to check on their folks--rarely even comin home for a visit. He son was a M.D. and had made a life for himself and family elsewhere--forgittin his roots. The daughter had married a M.D. and had moved to the city where he could practice his profession and actually get paid for it.

Times have changed tremendously in the last fifty years or so. I'm not condemning the children and the way they live necessairly but it seems to me that our old folks are being discarded when they have bunches of "good stuff" in their old heads that would benefit many young folks. I've known old people with a head full of knowledge and eager to share but were seldom asked. Those are the people I've always been interested in talkin to. I've learned bunches of stuff from'm--some good and some not so good! It is a challange sometimes to sort out the good from the bad --saving the good and discarding the bad. Even if the knowledge wasn't the best it sure was good gleaning that knowledge from those old folks!

What about the old folks in your area? Have ya'll ever talked to'm? Asked'm about things? Most of'm are just "chompin at the bit" to get to talk about their lifes' experiences.

While at the task--ask'm if they know Christ as their Saviour. You will be surprised at the answers [and sermons] you get, I'll bet!!

old hoot. Matt.24:44

-- old hoot gibson (hoot@pcinetwork.com), January 26, 2002

Answers

Yep, Hoot, your right, people do disgard the old folks. No one even wants to take in the old folks any more even. Just stick them in a nursing home and put a lot of money in some one else's pockets so they don't have to mess with them anymore. Really, really sad.

My Grandma is 92 years old and lives with us. She has taught me so much and, even though some times those "elderly" things do get tough to deal with, there is much more joy in keeping with us. I love the old stories of how they did things "in the old days".

I know it is not for everyone, such as those who, due to thier own illness, are unable to take care of the elderly; however, for those who are able, you will be blessed for being respectful enough to take care of your own.

I know there are going to be those that disagree with me, but no one can help if they get old and shouldn't be discarged just because nature is taking its course...it is coming for all of us...and a person can't help it if they can't take of thier selves...just a fact of life. It is not someone else's responsiblity to take care of the old folks...it is a family responsibility. I really doubt that Jesus would have put his folks in the "home".

-- Karen (mountains_mama@hotmail.com), January 26, 2002.