PTL for Senior Adults
The national day to honor senior adults (aka senior citizens) was set by President Reagan back in 1988 to be held on August 21 each year as National Senior Citizen's Day? However, in some traditions, the first Sunday of May is also used as an annual celebration. It is fitting that this special group of people would have two separate days to be honored.
Several years ago I found this little ditty and filed it away for safe keeping. It seems one senior adult wrote a letter to her friend. In the letter she stated she was beginning to feel a little
unneeded. In her desperation she concluded the letter with the question "What are seniors worth anyway?”
The friend wrote back and answered the question this way. "Remember old folks are worth a fortune, with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomachs."
The writer went on to say "I have become a little older since I saw you last and a few changes have come into my life since then. Frankly, I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I am seeing five gentlemen every day.
“As soon as I wake up Will Power helps me out of bed. Then I go see John. Then Charlie Horse comes along, and when he is here he takes a lot of my time and attention. When he leaves Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint.
“After such a busy day I'm really tired and glad to retire for the evening with Ben Gay. What a life!
“The pastor of the church came by the other day. He said at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter.” I told him, “Oh I do all the time. No matter where I am, in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen or down in the basement, I ask myself "What am I here after?"
It is very important that we honor senior adults these days in that we have the convergence of two senior adult groups what we might call seniors and super seniors. The super seniors are those we also call the Builder Generation (born before 1946) and the group known as the Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964).
The Builders (aka the Greatest Generation) have given so much and have seen great change throughout their lives. We would not be where we are today without the Builders. The Boomers get a lot of negative attention and some of it is well earned.
However, both of these generations have so much left to give. We would be wise to not overlook them or discount them (except at the cash register).
Take a few minutes today and call your favorite senior adult. It will be a blessing to them and you. Take care!
