Golden Years (thanks, David Bowie!)

Fule for Thought

 

Recently, Deb and I were driving around with our son Brennen and his girlfriend, Abbey. As we got to Wheatland Lodge, I said, “see that Abbey? That’s where Brennen and Breanne are going to put me!”

I hope no one takes this the wrong way; since I am on the board for the lodge I have come to see how that place runs. It really is a very nice place, and besides meetings, Deb and I get to go there for Christmas Dinners and their annual Summer Barbecue. 

The place is very nice, clean, and the staff there, are very friendly and kind to the residents! I actually joke that I like going there so much, because I can start to scout out a wing that I’d like to be in (maybe someplace with a South or West facing room … not a big fan of getting up early)!

In my visits, I’ve also come to appreciate how kind and decent the residents are there. People seem so happy, and greet you with smiles as you enter. It really does have a “homey” feeling. This generation has been through so much. Many have lived through the Depression, a World War, and have worked so hard to make their families’ and their lives better over the years.  

These Seniors are the people you could always be counted on to volunteer, or step up and help a neighbour or friend, when needed. I worry about my generation and the younger ones. Volunteering is getting to be a “lost art” … we seem so busy, or caught up in “things” that we forget to help others. I’m also guilty of having done this … sometimes we get very possessive of any free time we have.

Deb’s grandparents  became my “Grandparent” role models. Allister Moore had worked hard at Calgary Power, and Dolly at a store, while Roy Ritchie toiled on the Highway crew, and Edith at a laundry in Banff for years. They all worked hard to support their families, and in tougher times than we face. Everything had a use, and they all tried to teach us that things should not be just thrown away, that they could be useful sometime. Helping neighbours, building or repairing, baking, or “fussing”, these people always gave of themselves. They also taught me lessons on life through all the jobs we did together over the years. The Moores taught my family about hard work, yet they still found ways to always travel, if they could. We made sauerkraut at their house in Cochrane, and that is now a great memory.  

The Ritchies taught us about generosity and honesty. Every person in their house was a treasured guest, and Edith would always put out more food than could be eaten. She never believed her food was good enough; she always wanted things to be perfect.

That’s what I respect so much about the various Seniors I’ve come to know. They want to be generous, helpful, and they never have to work at being kind to others. Work is a good thing, and there is no time for slacking, either! One Summer, when Allister was in his 80’s, Brennen was about 11, and I about 37, we were cutting down overgrown branches off his tree. 

I had a bow saw and was sawing the branches that Allister pointed out, while Brennen dragged them away to pile. One branch we should not have cut, as it gave off a HUGE “crack” noise, and began to fall. Brennen ran, I jumped from the tree, dropping the saw, and the “80 something” Allister ran. We went in three different directions, and we all had a great laugh! That job had come to an end for awhile!  

As Great Grandmothers, Edith and Dolly were amazing!  Edith baked constantly, baby- sat our kids, and taught them card games, like “Stop the Bus.”  

They’d play for coins she gave them, and she’d lose on purpose. They’d feel so great beating an adult! Dolly was the type who’d do anything to help. When our kids came home as babies, she moved right in to our house. She made meals, baked, helped with the babies, and spoiled ME rotten!

I started today’s column talking about the Lodge, the staff, and the residents. I also wanted to make mention of what a great generation these people are. Tom Brokaw, a famous news anchor in the U.S., has called this group, “The Greatest Generation”, and with good reason. They suffered through poverty and hard times, fought in a massive World War, raised families, and always worked hard. Debbie always tells me to mingle more with the Lodge residents, but I’m always a bit shy about that. I don’t know many of the residents, and I’m worry about bothering people. She always tells me that Seniors have a great deal of love to give, and to just go and talk … but it’s definitely hard for me.  

So … what I may not be able to say to you in person, I hope my written words are good enough.

I may worry about growing older and what may come, but I sure don’t worry about where I may stay. Hopefully, if I get to this lodge, the other residents won’t mind a little Beach Boys’ music coming from the Fules’ room. I’ll probably be the guy wearing the Hawaiian shirt, forgetting some of the lyrics!