Part of my position at The Lighthouse involves taking our "Golden Ager" group on different field trips and events through the year. This summer, we took them to the Heinz History Museum, on a Just Ducky tour, and yesterday, we took them to the Aviary and the Bayernhof Museum.*
*This place was unreal! I have never been in a more over the top place! Truly entertaining and interesting. Pics to come*
What I like about these trips however, are the wonderful people who go on them. This age group is fascinating. They have lived through so much, have a wealth of knowledge and are really quite fun! In most other cultures, the elderly are revered and respected. They hold a place of honor and dignity. I know many people who practice these same attitudes in America, but I have also
met people who placate the elderly, patronize them, and speak about them in their presence as if they weren't there. It's really sad seeing this treatment, but it's a reality for a lot of older American citizens. Yesterday, I realized how little I have experienced, and how much I can learn from the Golden Agers. They all have so much to offer still! Even though most if not all of them are retired, they lead a more active social life than a lot of people I know! They craft, go dancing, collect things, babysit, and cook all the time. I do one of those things sometimes (babysit). lol, jk, almost.
met people who placate the elderly, patronize them, and speak about them in their presence as if they weren't there. It's really sad seeing this treatment, but it's a reality for a lot of older American citizens. Yesterday, I realized how little I have experienced, and how much I can learn from the Golden Agers. They all have so much to offer still! Even though most if not all of them are retired, they lead a more active social life than a lot of people I know! They craft, go dancing, collect things, babysit, and cook all the time. I do one of those things sometimes (babysit). lol, jk, almost.It must be really cool for them to see how much society has changed since they were younger--computers, cell phones, medicine, transportation--it's all changed drastically. One of the women on my bus was talking about how she used to hang out at the 5 and Dime (...I think that's the equivalent of a dollar store...or a rite aid maybe??) and drink fresh soda pop with her Sunday Best on during the week. I was thinking, most people don't even have a Sunday Best anymore...
They used to dress up for the MOVIES with little white gloves and sun hats. What a difference from what we wear (Victoria's Secret PINK pants, a t-shirt, flip flops is what I last wore to the movies.) Going into downtown was THE event of the season--the men wore tux's, the women wore minks...it all seems so romanticized to me!
It was a fascinating day, and those ol' gals can hang out with me, any day they want!
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