The ageing path!

Each year added to our lives enhances value to our lives. 

For some of us who live in the seventh decade of our life a year ahead is even more special! 

It was while watching this flower in our garden during a week, I got a glimpse of the physical effects of ageing. The flower had the petals bright and elegant to look at when it blossomed. The petals began to fold and the petals showed signs of weariness by the seventh day. Although the flower is still in its stalk, it looks shrivelled and different from how it looked  on the first day.

The insects and bees visited the flower during the first few days. When the nectar was no more in the flower, the visitors deserted the flower. 

What followed was the invasion of the fungus in the centre of the flower, turning the centre into a greenish hue. 

While they are the changes that occurred to a flower, similar things happen to people as they move into the phase of being senior citizens. 

There is natural reduction in the social relevance of senior citizens as they receive more than they can give, when they grow older. They get distanced from the events around them as younger people lead by bringing fresh ideas and options. Of course the bodily limitations and attending to them consume most of the attention of senior citizens. 

And it is no loss to be in the seventies in another sense. We in our seventies can be like the tall avenue trees in a park or on the road side offering shade and being a shelter for the birds of the air. They receive the noxious carbon dioxide and give away oxygen to the air!

During my several years in the governing council of the Christian Medical College, Vellore, I watched the way the senior members, some of them in late seventies or early eighties were like the tall trees. They made the deliberations rich by the occasional intervention to refresh rest of us with history, heritage and vocation of the college. They were path finders when discussions got estranged or got muddled in conflicting opinions. The way some of them sat through long discussions silently and spoke only when a word of wisdom was needed, I realised how the senior citizens can be torch bearers to lead others into light. 

Now that I am in my mid seventies, I keep thinking of my new role at work place and in some other limited situations where I am occasionally involved. I sense my role in being a companion to others  by admiring younger people for what and how they do. To be a cheer leader to encourage the younger people to go on their journey of exploration and innovation!  

The words of apostle Paul in I Cor.13:11 comes to guide me further in defining my role in this   phase of my life, "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think as a child, reason as a child;  when I became a man, I did away with childish things.." The manhood or womanhood reaches its fullness when we advance in age. To be seventy or eighty is therefore a privilege. That is when would be ready to leave behind impulsivity, arrogance, selfishness, self promotion, pride, possessiveness, control,  and pursuit of success somehow! 

Instead, to be older in age would mean that we are clothed with integrity of character, honesty in personal life, generosity towards others, tolerant, altruistic, patient and self-giving.

That would be the fullness of life or what is often referred to as being a mature person.  Just as an avenue tree is a giver and shelter provider, the senior citizens are to be in such a role. 

Dr William cutting from London, is an outstanding example of such a fullness of life. While he cares for his wife who has multiple health needs, remembers to write and share his thoughts to encourage and refresh some of us. 

Our friend Gisela from Berlin sends a message almost daily to Anna. An amazing example of self giving while getting older!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)