Haloes and Heroes

Rocks, not sand, green, not dry, outspoken, not shy, fruitful and not barren. The aged, elderly, seniors, retired, refired, tested, revived, survived, and wise. Many are bent but not broken, stupped but not stupid, slowed but not halted. I have always had that special something for older people, and now that I am one, 'older' has a more far-reaching meaning than when I was young. Respect for the elderly is what I was taught, but this is more than respect. It's more like a halo that I have built around them. A famous professional basketball player in reply to a question about heroes once said, "I'm no hero. They don't pay me to be a hero". I am not one quick and zealous about claiming heroes, but if I was in the market for heroes, the elderly would be mine. Two century-plus seniors come to mind that I was priviledged to meet. There was a friend who invited my wife and me to her mother's 100th birthday party. For me, that was a memorable moment to be treasured. Two days ago, I was treated to meet another centurian who is 105. She slept through our visit, but I was more than a little delighted to have been in the presence of the oldest person I've ever seen. At one point she opened her eyes, made several sounds and closed her eyes again. I tell you, I felt a sense of awe standing there as she lay sleeping. 040819PS