Since I am the Executive Director of Eldercare Services, I do get to meet with a few families from time to time, mostly the adult children of aging parents. I have two older clients I have worked with for many years but I just don’t get the opportunity to meet many other older adults at this time in my career.
Today, I went to see an 89 year old client and was so touched by his history, his strength and wisdom that I just feel blessed by the work I do. This work allows me the opportunity to communicate, not only cognitively but, with the soul and heart. Of course, I was keeping professional boundaries however, hearing the story of a life with my heart and not just looking for past strengths for which to base my recommendations.
It was not the concrete fixing of a problem, it was listening and responding from the heart – hearing the truth from a deep place of the soul. It is so important for us all to listen to the wisdom of the elders in our community or family. Their life trials, successes and adventures have many a lesson for each of us.
I thank all who have contributed to a better world and encourage everyone to listen for those life stories of “strength” from the elders in their communities.