I was privileged to listen in on a conversation with three people, ages 81, 84, and 88. My parents spent many hours in friendship together, and it was so good to visit with my Mom, Art, and Anita this afternoon.
The conversation was spirited, reflective, and honest. Art and my parents share similar stories of immigration; my mom and Anita share growing up in Sussex, New Jersey. Being friends as married couples, shared ministry paths for Art and my Dad, and friendship through it all. There is so much shared life.
I am most grateful for the wisdom I gleaned from listening today. These are the words of honest reflection that come from years of living. I am aware of how technology and Google have diminished conversations between generations. What we used to ask of those who have lived longer, we now ask Google. In the busy pace of life, we miss the invitation to sit together and listen in on the stories of those from different generations.
Please consider creating space to sit with the younger (if you’re older) and to sit with the older (if you’re younger) and to listen to the stories of their lives. Listen for the spaces where their hearts are tender, their reflections are honest, and their experiences are insightful and impactful. We all have a lot to learn from each other. Tonight, I am grateful for today and the gift of listening to the older. I hold them dear to my heart! ❤️ Trish
Love this and we at church had a small taste of this by playing several rousing games of Bingo with our middle school age kids. They do love to talk and us older folks got to listen. And maybe they even listened to us a bit.