What do you know about OLD PEOPLE? It's a Quiz!

I have been fortunate to be around older people in healthy settings, as well as some in no so good of situation.

Spending time with people who have lived longer is interesting.

I went to the community senior center with my son's elementary class several times the past couple of years to "interview" some local seniors. The teacher wanted them to try to ask questions about when the seniors were the same age as the kids. The teacher brought his ukulele to play some songs each time. After greetings and grouping by the teacher, each senior met with 2 or 3 children, with an adult scribe around a small table or in a chair circle.

I was support to two boys each time, and they had prepared questions to ask, such as "Where did you live? What did you like to play? What were your favorite hobbies?" When they started talking though, things they really wanted to know were, " Do you have any scars? Did you get into trouble" , What was your favorite TV show? Who was your favorite teacher?"

The answers were incredible and we heard a lot of stories.

About how big brothers are not always so nice.....and how one brother is a very famous scientist.

About target shooting rats in the off limits construction site and nearly shooting themselves....setting that field fire on accident and hiding under the bed while the firemen came....

Walking to school in the snow and dealing with boys who think it fun to throw ice at you...

Snagging sugar cane from the train in Asia and what happened when Dad found out her brothers had taken her along...

Having one room with heat and it had a dirt floor, for all the cooking and bathing, and no inside toilets or plumbing.

How most girls first jobs was waiting tables, and how one woman was retrained to work in science and technology before and after the war.

The seniors were pleased to remember things they had not thought about for many many years, and they were very kind to the youngsters. The kids thanked the seniors, shared the stories verbally with the class, and created personal book for each senior in their own handwriting and pictures, which they took back to the seniors about a month later.

The other place we visit seniors is at a retirement care facility we go to play music once a month during their on site church services. We have been doing this over 15 years with our three boys, and have seen quite a few folks regular there.

We end up there on Mother's day on our rotation. One time I took in a tray of flowers for them, and ended up "helping" one of the ladies share, and also stopped another from taking the facilities flower arrangement to her room. Everyone who wanted one did get one, and one gal still ended up with about half the tray for her window box. We would chat about that window box and gardens on visits. She has been gone for about three months now, and I miss her being there.

There is much to glean from the time spent with older people. Each person is so different.

The woman who reminds me every time she is a Jew, but she likes the music and comes anyway with her friend....

A 103 year old woman who speaks with clarity and bright eyes and well dressed. She is not so sure this generation could have gone through what hers did. She said they learned to understand and support each other. Not everyone lost their jobs, and those who did helped those they could. They learned to make do with what they had and to stick with it. And it was not easy. I said to her that I think these again are the beginning of incredible times, that when there is a need, that is when people will work to figure it out. She was pleased to hear that , and found that an unusual perspective.

They like listening to kids playing favorites such as "Take Me out the Ballgame", and man they can sing that one well!

So this is long, and I hope it explains why I think older people are a treasure and worth our investment. Those who have survived for a long time do not have all the answers, and they have lots of troubles of their own, just like you and me. We all find ourselves in different situations, places and abilities throughout our lives and times.

In fact, older people have traveled many some miles. They just might save you a few wasted miles and over thinking, if you take some time to just sit with them for a spell. And YOU have a lot to offer them as well. Your time and admiration and funny stories or songs that you both can enjoy. Lots of seroius smiles all around.

Leaving the place you have called home for decades, moving in with a child. Losing a spouse. Battling one physical battle after another. This is the typical life of many elderly individuals in America.

What surprises, good and not so nice have come into your life due to the fact someone you love has gotten old enough to need some additional help and support?

Do you know what this is? Have you seen these in your town? What old stuff is interesting and tells a story about where you live?

This piece of history is something residents live with every day, even if they do not realize it. The streets are narrow due to the fact they were designed for horse and carriage originally. And the barns the horses stayed in were filled in by more homes and not many houses have driveways or garages in the older neighborhoods.

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