69th Year, No. 9

This is arguably one of the most random things that I could possibly write about while listening to "Straight To Hell."

Senior Citizens. A couple of weeks ago, after leaving a certain house in a certain neighborhood, I made an effort to seek out and find a local newspaper that happened to be established in 1939. One stop. One score. I browsed through the tight 20 page small-fry after I parked, but before I made my way to the second floor of the establishment where I would meet up with a few friends, new and old. Something struck me on Page 20. "Senior Center News." Hidden in the back in the last section as if it was an afterthought of some sort or a kind of "well, we better tuck this in there so we can feel good about our publication" effort. At least, this was my first reaction to it... I realize that all publications have announcements of some sort that chart out the happenings and "places-to-be" for our elders, but this particular version struck a chord that would stay with me for a little while. Simply put, I consider the ones that are in the "senior" category and I sometimes wonder what they're up to because I am certain that they sometimes wonder what in the world we're up to at half their age and what possesses us to do the things we do... A weekly itinerary would look like this in this scenario:

> Kaffee Klatch Time
> Games (including bean bag baseball)
> Walk/Exercise
> 42/Crafts/Canasta (suddenly, I feel like I am on another planet...)
> Sewing Projects
> 42/Quilting/Van Trip/Canasta (a trip? in a van?)
> Dine-Out Luncheon

All times, of course, being scattered throughout the day or week from 8am to 2pm or something, but bean bag baseball has the curious starting time of 12:15pm on Fridays only... Surveying this list of events said a few things to me... 1) I suppose that these kinds of things are 100% necessary to ensure that our beloved elders have places to be with things to do if they choose so; 2) I do not want to grow old; 3) Do I need to learn 42 before I hit a certain age?; 4) Why does it have to be a van? Why not a 1967 GTO?; and 5) I am truly afraid of growing old, but I welcome "some" of the choices and possiblities it could bring...

I mean... I am not sure that I will be able to make a clear point, but I know where my heart is on these kinds of things... My parents are senior citizens and I am sure that one day the thought of playing canasta with possible strangers turned friends could be a nice distraction from growing older... When I see them, I understand the dynamic of where they have been and where they are going and I love them more for all of it... My point being... I get the sentiment around schedules like this and I totally get the idea that some people need that interaction with others and everyone likes to belong somewhere. No exceptions. Everyone wants a voice. Everyone wants to be heard even if it has to be in the middle of a mad round of bean bag baseball. I respect the idea of a Senior Center and I tip my hat to the organizing crew who puts it all together... It's a nice sign of faith that someone is looking out for our moms, dads, grandparents, uncles, aunts and the ones without the ones to call when they just want or need to say something... It all makes sense and people need options. I will want options when that time comes just like you will... At least, I think I will...

In the end, I guess that getting a little press in the back of any publication is good press. Every town does it differently and when I hit "that" timeframe in life, I will probably welcome these kinds of things as options... I don't want them to be my only options, however.

I will say this... Just glancing at the schedule makes me think about the last time I bumped into an older gent at the grocery store or the last time I saw an obvious grandchild holding onto her grandmother's hand as they strolled through the museum. And it also reminded me of a time when I was inside The National Gallery in D.C. gazing at a painting alongside an older dude who was studying his life all over again inside the painting that I had just discovered as something that I would want to share with everyone... I wonder what he is up to 7+ years later... I'll never forget the intent in his forehead. Odd, I know, but this is on my mind. All because of something I saw on Page 20.

Respect the old. Consider them... Always.

- bsm*