As one grows older, one can find oneself morphing into the role of elder. Because one has lived longer, one is expected to know something. After all, one has been through "the full catastrophe" as Zorba called it.
This is not a role that one necessarily wants. Those who desire an elder role seem a little suspicious. One begins to be viewed by others in this way, allowing one to make a choice: deny the role or accept it in good grace while not taking it too seriously.
What is an elder? A member of the tribe who has let go of manipulations and schemes for personal advantage, who is open to the Larger Realm of things and entities, who has "been there, done that" and has the scars to prove it, who has learned and continues learning from the open wounding of soul and heart, who has fallen down many times but always gets up, who is not afraid to keep falling in love, who has a strong sense of humor and is liable to erupt in laughter at any moment especially at the human condition, who can listen and keep secrets, . . . The list can go on.
A tidal wave of geezers is headed this way. They say there are 10,000 American folk reaching the age of 65 every day now. Out of all these old farts, a certain percentage are likely to be seen as elders. May they wear the robe well. May we all do so.
We need elder wisdom on this earth this day.
My listing above of elder characteristics started sounding like an Elder Scout Manual. :>)
ReplyDeleteYou ain't no dirty ole man. You are a sexy senior citizen! :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, George, there's no box or boundary that contains you, so any lists you make having any bearing on yourself or other geezers will be pale labels of your and their true character(s).
John