During a discussion with my mother this morning, we discussed how interesting it is that I’m usually the youngest person in a group. Often, I’m found spending time with elders. This has been the case since I was a little girl. I used to sit with the elders on my block and listen to their stories and teachings. I truly enjoy learning from these valuable teachers in my life.
I find the elders in my life to be a valuable source of knowledge and wisdom. Spending time with them is always a rewarding and enlightening experience for me and I hope they feel the same. They’ve lived through so many different experiences and have a perspective on life that is so humbling to me.
The elders in my life have taught me the importance of patience and perseverance. They faced challenges and setbacks, and while some have been heartbreaking, they’ve learned to take things in stride and keep moving forward. That taught me to be more resilient in the face of adversity and not give up when things get tough.
They’ve taught me about the importance of family and community. They spent many years building and nurturing relationships with loved ones and have a deep understanding of the importance of maintaining those connections. I’ve learned the importance of being a good listener, being there for others, and being a supportive member of the community. They’ve also taught me about learning from our mistakes through relationships they’ve lost and wisdom they’ve gained about their own past choices. They teach me to think things through and have control over my actions and the words that come out of my mouth. They remind me to think about how my words will land. Wounds leave scars and while they may scab over, the scar is always there.
The elders in my life have reminded me of the importance of keeping a sense of curiosity and wonder. They’ve lived through changes and seen the world evolve in ways I can only imagine. They remind me to never stop learning, growing, and exploring new ideas.
They’ve taught me about the importance of tradition and history. They grew up with stories and customs that have been passed down through generations and remind me to connect with my roots and understand where my people come from. They teach me about the importance of preserving my cultural heritage and respecting the wisdom of my ancestors. They’ve also taught me what it means to be a steward of the earth, and the importance of passing down this knowledge and these traditions of my people to my children, and 7 generations forward.
I’ve been blessed to learn from elders that teach me about the importance of living in the present moment and taking a step, even if it’s a scary step. They have lived longer and have a different understanding of time. They remind me that time is precious and we should make the most of every moment. They teach me about the importance of savoring life’s simple pleasures and being grateful for what we have.
So today I’m sending a great big thank you to the elders in my life who love me and teach me and guide me. I appreciate you all more than you know. My life wouldn’t be the same without you.
