Elders as neighbours!

When I saw this bunch of flowers in our garden today, it occurred to me that one of them was ageing!

A flash of consciousness dawned on me instantly! I recalled the season of life in the leaders governing some countries. They are in the seventies or eighties. 

About seventy percent of population of most of these countries are under fifty years of age! It occurred to me as to why the seniors do not give way to the younger leaders in public life! 

The down side of the older people in governance role in some of these countries, is the indifference they show to larger realities beyond their narrow perspectives! There is a mismatch between the aspirations of those who have a career path to pursue and some of these leaders for whom making the wealthy, wealthier seems to be a preoccupation! 

Life in its fullness is the dream of most people on earth! Although fullness may be defined differently by people, the wellness that people seek for themselves materially is what drives people to strive for success1

All of us when we move on, will bequeath to the generations to come, all what we have treasured!

It was while watching this Lily in our garden, I paused to think! The two buds still to open in that stalk will express the same colour, texture, size, morphology like the flowers which are open!

It is the stalk, that sprouts from the roots that carries that heritage of the flowers!

We grow up in our families. That is where we are rooted! Each of us springs from the nature and nurture of our families!

A visitor who came to talk about our neighbourhood spoke passionately about the damaged family relationships which impairs the wellness of children and prospects of their future.

The micro-environment in our families is not life-giving to children. The macro-environment in our social and political scenes in many countries does not favour a promising future for children and young people!

I remember noticing a Kingfisher who used to be perched in the same site for a few days. Its habit was to be in this perching position with a look of intent! Its look is one of intense purpose, what ever that purpose might be!

I keep looking out for people who have an intense wholistic aspiration for their children! Many whom I know pursue an aspiration related to good education, employment, marriage, house and all that get associated with creature comfort! 

It was a conversation with a teenager recently which brought a challenge to me! He helps himself with alcohol from the father's collection of alcohol in the refrigerator, when parents have gone to sleep at night! It has become a habit. He feels drowsy during the day and underperforms academically, for which the reason is not known to the teachers or parents. His question to me was, 'where are the role modes' for me to receive help! 

I come back to the first flower bunch in this blog spot.  The ageing flower to me symbolised the state of elders in families and society. If the elders are still occupied with pursuit of their dream for themselves,  how, they can be available for younger people, who look around for elders who can be their role models! 

I tend to think that elders are keepers or pathfinders for the younger people in families and in our society! 

I remember Thomas sir, the headmaster of the primary school in our village, who kept visiting some of his students from the village as long as he was able to walk after his retirement! I remember him looking out for me when I came for holidays. After few minutes of conversation centred around matters of conduct and sound living, he would  bless me with a prayer before he left!

The younger people are churning inside; those in mid life are struggling to live well; and those nearing retirement experience unsettlement!

As I listen to families on on line, I feel that loneliness is a dysfunction for which many have not found a way forward1 

Therefore all the more reason for elders to become neighbours to others!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)