I have often heard and used the term "respect your elders". I heard this from my parents when I was young and it has stuck with me for years. Like many of the things your parents tell you, there usually isn't a why that comes with the advice. If there is a why, it usually is "because I told you so".
Today I had some experiences that added more support for the "why" you should respect your elders. There is retired gentleman who volunteers at the school and I have enjoyed getting to know him in my first few months in Holdingford. Today I accompanied him to a "60 more or less" luncheon at a local church.
First off, the soup and a sandwich option is always a winner in my book. The chicken dumpling soup hit the spot on a beautifully cool fall day. The meal was great, but it was the company that was so much more fulfilling. In a time when people are constantly connected to a cell phone or iPad, the atmosphere was very appealing. No one was checking messages, tweeting, or even snapping a picture of the soup for an Instagram post. Instead, people were telling stories, asking questions, and genuinely enjoying each other's company. There was so much laughter that you couldn't help walking out from lunch with a better perspective on life. There were stories of their lives which made you appreciate what you have, but instilled a greater respect for these people. I fear this type of socializing is becoming a thing of the past and that makes incredibly sad.
After lunch was over, my retired friend and I walked back to the school. When we arrived, he grabbed box from his car and brought it in to the office area. Out of the box, one by one, my friend pulled out beautiful hand crafted cribbage boards. Each of these boards had taken years of experience and countless hours to craft. The craftsmanship displayed in these boards was amazing. I asked him how much he sells the boards for and his answer was "money is not the issue". Instead he gives them to family and friends as gifts. He doesn't do it for money, he does it because he enjoys it and doesn't worry about how he can profit. This was yet another trait that I found incredibly admirable.
These two experiences just cemented my belief in respecting your elders. The people I was with today are from such a great generation. They have so much to share; we all need to just put down our phone for a second to realize it.
Today I had some experiences that added more support for the "why" you should respect your elders. There is retired gentleman who volunteers at the school and I have enjoyed getting to know him in my first few months in Holdingford. Today I accompanied him to a "60 more or less" luncheon at a local church.
First off, the soup and a sandwich option is always a winner in my book. The chicken dumpling soup hit the spot on a beautifully cool fall day. The meal was great, but it was the company that was so much more fulfilling. In a time when people are constantly connected to a cell phone or iPad, the atmosphere was very appealing. No one was checking messages, tweeting, or even snapping a picture of the soup for an Instagram post. Instead, people were telling stories, asking questions, and genuinely enjoying each other's company. There was so much laughter that you couldn't help walking out from lunch with a better perspective on life. There were stories of their lives which made you appreciate what you have, but instilled a greater respect for these people. I fear this type of socializing is becoming a thing of the past and that makes incredibly sad.
After lunch was over, my retired friend and I walked back to the school. When we arrived, he grabbed box from his car and brought it in to the office area. Out of the box, one by one, my friend pulled out beautiful hand crafted cribbage boards. Each of these boards had taken years of experience and countless hours to craft. The craftsmanship displayed in these boards was amazing. I asked him how much he sells the boards for and his answer was "money is not the issue". Instead he gives them to family and friends as gifts. He doesn't do it for money, he does it because he enjoys it and doesn't worry about how he can profit. This was yet another trait that I found incredibly admirable.
These two experiences just cemented my belief in respecting your elders. The people I was with today are from such a great generation. They have so much to share; we all need to just put down our phone for a second to realize it.