The elderly are living libraries.
Living history books.
Living road maps.
They have already traveled roads we have yet to walk.
Years ago, while working at Disneyland, I noticed something.
The ticket takers came from all age groups.
Some were young.
Some were middle-aged.
And some were elderly.
All of them were kind.
All of them were courteous.
All of them were helpful.
Yet there was something different about the older ones.
Something special.
Something deeper.
THE AWE OF IT ALL.
Every day they watched children enter the park.
Eyes wide.
Hearts racing.
Dreams alive.
The elderly employees seemed to appreciate this differently.
Perhaps because they understood how precious those moments really were.
Perhaps because they remembered being children themselves.
Perhaps because they had learned that joy is one of life’s greatest treasures.
Their greetings felt genuine.
Their smiles felt sincere.
Their presence added something meaningful to the experience.
Parents noticed it too.
Wisdom often recognizes wonder when it sees it.
CONSULT YOUR LOCAL ELDERLY.
Grandparents and great-grandparents possess treasures.
Not treasures of gold.
Not treasures of silver.
Treasures of experience.
Treasures of understanding.
Treasures of perspective.
They have already tested many of life’s theories.
They have already walked many roads.
They have already made mistakes.
And learned from them.
Why repeat every lesson the hard way when someone who loves you is willing to share what they discovered?
JUST LISTEN…
DON’T ARGUE.
I recently met a man who discovered his grandmother’s diary.
Inside were stories passed down from her father about the Civil War.
The stories fascinated him.
So he interviewed his grandmother.
One story led to another.
One memory opened the door to another memory.
Soon he realized he possessed something extraordinary.
History.
Personal history.
Living history.
Eventually he organized the material into a book.
Imagine if he had never asked.
Imagine if he had never listened.
OH…THOSE RECIPES.
Every generation carries secrets.
Family recipes.
Family traditions.
Family methods.
I once worked for a wealthy businessman whose wife came from Latvia.
Occasionally she prepared meals for employees.
One Thanksgiving meal remains unforgettable.
Everything was familiar.
Yet everything was different.
The flavors.
The spices.
The preparation.
The care.
Even her coffee stood apart from every cup I have ever tasted.
Rich.
Aromatic.
Perfectly balanced.
No cream needed.
No sugar desired.
That secret went with her when she passed away.
How many treasures disappear simply because nobody asked?
THE WHY AND THE HOW OF LIFE.
The elderly know things.
Lots of things.
How to stretch a dollar.
How to survive hard times.
How to appreciate good times.
How to maintain a home.
How to care for relationships.
How to weather storms.
How to recognize what truly matters.
They understand patience.
Because life taught it to them.
They understand loss.
Because life introduced it to them.
They understand gratitude.
Because they know how quickly things can change.
As I wrote in Pearls for the Soul:
“Wisdom is experience that has taken the time to understand itself.”
— Richie Naggar, Pearls for the Soul
ATE LUNCH…
CRACKED JOKES…
THERE IS NO WRONG.
Not long ago, my wife and I joined a group of elderly travelers during a tourist outing.
There were about twenty-five of them.
They invited us to sit down.
We shared stories.
We laughed.
I offered a few well-timed PG-rated jokes.
The laughter that followed was genuine.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Real.
There was no pretending.
No competition.
No showing off.
Just people sharing life together.
And for a little while, it felt like time slowed down.
GET A GLIMPSE OF WHERE YOU ARE HEADING.
One of the greatest benefits of spending time with the elderly is that they provide perspective.
They show us where the road leads.
They help us see what matters.
They remind us that many things we worry about today won’t matter much tomorrow.
They teach us that kindness outlasts possessions.
Relationships outlast accomplishments.
Character outlasts wealth.
Love outlasts almost everything.
Well-mannered.
Mild-mannered.
Patient.
Wise.
If you want a truly rewarding experience, spend some time with the elderly.
Ask questions.
Listen carefully.
Learn freely.
Because someday…
If life is kind…
You will become one of them.
And the wisdom you gather today may become the treasure you pass along tomorrow.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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