As I was munching on pretzels yesterday, I began reminiscing about sitting in my neighbors’ home. They were an elderly couple who lived across the street from my family when I was a little girl. While my brother and I would play outdoors, they would invite us to their home and my parents encouraged us to go. As we were entertained by the parakeet happily tweeting, the elderly man would reach into his wood cabinet and pull out a bag of pretzels. As we gobbled them down, he would share stories of his past with us. We listened attentively and then, he would pull out another bag filled with candy. My brother and I each would take one as we continued to listen to this sweet husband and wife tell us about their history.

Just down the street lived an elderly woman who our family was also friendly with. On our way home from school, she would invite my brother and me to join her for a snack. Her home was always warm and smelled heavenly. We enjoyed listening to her stories as we drank our cold milk and nibbled on her delicious cookies. To top it off, she would send home a bag of cookies for our family to enjoy in the evening.

Those memories have left me feeling grateful for many reasons. I am thankful that our parents taught us to value spending time with these neighbors who were elderly and full of wisdom. I learned at a young age that “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.”  (Job 12:12 ESV) What many can dismiss as a non-glamorous season of life, we quickly grasped that it is actually a blessing to reach that phase and have the ability to impart to others. We learned how our neighbors raised their families, how they survived a war, and how they had a strong work ethic. Those special moments are etched in my memory forever.

Is there an older person that God has placed in your life that you or your child could converse with, spend time with, build a relationship with or just have snacks with? Your life will be richer as a result of such a connection. I know mine is and I am grateful.

“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7)
~Joyce