Invoke the wisdom of our senior citizens

In our modern society there is a quest for real wisdom, wisdom that has been tested down throughout the ages. As we look at the quality of decisions that are made today, one cannot help but wonder about the source or the wisdom of these decisions. In a school or a community these decisions are constantly rendered and then tested based on their merit and the wisdom of the day. As an educator I often wonder about the diminishing wisdom that is evident in our lives, our schools and our communities. We must return to a time when wisdom instead of folly ruled the day.
There is a segment of our society that seems to have this wisdom that is lacking. When you talk to our senior citizens you sometimes receive this wisdom in a simple statement, adage, thought, gesture or activity. Senior citizens bring an added quality and quantity of wisdom. Their times were far less complicated, their wisdom most profound. Our generation today can glean some wise insights into life, living, family and community if they would listen to the wisdom of their seniors. It is amazing that true wisdom does not change with time; you could say that it is timeless. Our senior citizens possess a kind of timeless wisdom. Their words ring true today as it did sixty or more years ago. Perhaps we should honor them more because of their outstanding contributions.
Senior citizens today provide a wealth of services and have continued to make monumental contributions. As we view our senior citizens and their contributions today we should honor them daily. We find senior citizens today as:

 Mentors in our schools, church and communities
 Teachers in our schools, churches and clubs
 Grandparents, foster parents, adopted parents
 Babysitters, errand runners
 Community activists
 Board members in education, city government
 Entrepreneurs in our communities
 Advisors on all aspects of life
 Providers of social services
 Entertainers, producers, performers
 A host of other activities, (legislative, governmental, community clubs such as
a boys and girls club)

The golden knowledge and wisdom of our senior citizens is immeasurable. Every
young person will enhance their ability to be more knowledgeable, compassionate and
even wiser listening to the wisdom of our senior members. Our seniors served when
wisdom and civility was the order of the day. Personal responsibility and dignity was the
hallmark of our lives and community. We celebrate their lives, we respect their
knowledge and wisdom. We need our senior members to help guide us through some
difficult times. When we visit with our senior citizens, thank them for wise
contributions. Thank them for their wisdom; assist them in their needs. We celebrate our
elders and we will utilize their knowledge and wisdom to help light our path.