Thread: the Greatest Generation

A few weeks ago, my family visited a different church for an event they were having. An elderly gentleman engaged my wife in conversation.
We visited him this evening. He's 85, lost his wife in December and is still greiving, and had lots of stories to tell about his life, family, WWII service, and his church. He's a bit lonely sometimes without his mate of 65 years, but, from his conversation, does seem to have people visiting several times a week. We may be more occasional visitors. He does talk to his kids by phone daily.
We had our oldest working as sitter tonight, but he said to come back with the kids next time. Not sure he knows what he's asking for. :roll:
I felt kinda funny when my wife said we should visit this guy, at first; we don't know him. But it was a really great experience.

The folks of the older generations really do have wisdom to pass down to us.
Parry

One of the buildings I'm responsible for is our citys Senior Center. I get over there about once a month for inspections. theres usually a couple of the older gentlemen who I shoot the breeze with that were contractors. they're insite and experience are an asset.
Parry, I'm possitive this gentleman looks foreward to the visits and they may help keep him alive. The common wisdom is that when a older couple has been together that long, when one passes the other usually passes within a year. It happened to my father when his wife died, within a year he was gone. In my opinion it's the loneliness that gets to them.

Richard Martino

[quote="newdovo"]I felt kinda funny when my wife said we should visit this guy, at first; we don't know him.

*****>> You DO know him; you might not just recognize it.

He is the old guy who struggles to stand, yet does it without complaining when the flag goes by in a parade, because as a veteran he understands what that flag truly represents.

He is the guy we all know who was holding his wife's hand when she was alive as they walked down the street, even after all those years. He always paid his taxes, and always believed that God would provide somehow.

He has a lifetime of wisdom accumulated through many trials and tribulations, and needs an ear to pass some of it on to the next generation.

He would still open doors for a woman, generously tip service workers because he knows the value of a days work by anyone, and judges people by their actions, not their looks.

You know him already, you just haven't really talked with him yet.

Originally Posted by Chaaaz

You DO know him; you might not just recognize it.
He is ...

Yep... Glad I talked with him. I learned a lot.
Sounds like you've talked with him, or his brethren, as well.
Parry

This past couple of years I have be fortunate to meet several of the Greatest Generation. Two are in their seventy's and one is 84. The 84 year old used to be on my paper delivery route when I was in 8th grade! The other two are a doctor and a fireman, both retired. These are some of the most gracious, giving, helpful people I have ever met. They even manage to tolerate my occassinally insane compulsive intensity. One is helping me learn how to build split bamboo fly rods, another is teaching me veneering and the last is helping me learn custom knife making. None has asked for a cent in return and all of them seem to like the company and welcome my visits and questions. If I had known these men when I was growing up and had them as a role model then perhaps my life would have been a bit less turbulent.

What I am really learning is the magic of giving. The example of selfless giving that these men have shown me has been perhaps the single greatest, and best, lesson that I have learned these past couple of years. When you give without expectation of return you are rewarded in so many ways.

I also sense that they have a desire to pass on the knowledge and skills that they have acquired. Not just the skills of a particular craft or hobby but the skills of living.

The most noticeable characteristic's that they all have in common is an abundance of tolerance and genuine humility.

Chaaaz, that is one of the most touching things I have read in a long time.

It brought to mind the television coverage of last years rememberance service in London. During the service the camera closed in on a particular group of veterans and then on one face in particular.

The guy doing the reporting explained that this Gentleman was the youngest surviving First World War veteran, he was 105. He went on to explain that this man had enlisted at the start of the war (1914, I will let you do the math) and had survived the battle of the Somme, still regarded I believe as the bloodiest battle of 'modern' warfare.

This Gentleman was stood proudly in his uniform with his medals on his chest, struggling to hold his aged body erect as he came to attention and when I thought of what this man as a mere boy had seen and experienced i couldn't envisage how I would have coped.

I thank God that I am a 60's child and have never been in a position to have to go through the things guys like him did.

I spend some time with old folks through my Church and I always come away feeling that my life has been enriched by them. If only more of the younger generation would stop, think and maybe take the time to talk to that old man at the bus stop or in the cafe and to actually listen the world would be a better place.

Funny you should mention the old man at the bus stop, Jonni, since I stood and talked to one there a few days ago.

We sometimes forget that the elderly can become quite lonely. When you see them out on the street, often they're not going about their daily business, but simply killing time. They're starved for attention, and I empathise with them.

This particular man didn't look to approachable, and since I'm fairly shy, I just watched as he lit a cigarette. He must have noticed me watching and he made some comment about the weather. "Tough to find a cool place in the shade today, isn't it?" I agreed. It was a very hot day. He then went on to tell me that this was his first day in a number of years without a walker. I was happy for the guy, since he was free of that burden and eager to tell someone.

Good post, wielder.

If we listen, the world will tell us a lot.

Best -