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What Have We Become?
(Climbs porch steps and with heavy sigh takes a seat) I ask you my porch buddies, what has happened to our society? It seems there is no respect for anyone, or anything today. Now, I'm sure everyone of us up here on this porch who raised children, taught them to have respect for their fellow human beings, especially our elderly. Those who have faced the trials and tribulations of life, who have managed to survive into their Golden Years, who possess insight and wisdom, are treated today as though they were Lepers.
How dare they! to have allowed themselves to visibly 'age'! seems to be the prevailing attitude of so many of our younger folks. As well, the attitude of 'Do we really need to SEE what our future holds, as to how human beings eventually physically deteriorate!'
My friends, I made a quick trip to the supermarket this morning, and as I headed down an aisle, there in front of me was an elderly couple, a man and woman. The woman suffered visibly with Rheumatoid arthritis, her poor hands so twisted and gnarled. Her gait was slow, stiff, and it was evident the arthritis with which she suffered affected other areas of her body. The elderly man, her companion, most likely her husband, walked slowly beside her, his hand on her elbow, helping her down the aisle.
Two women, probably in their late twenties, heading down the aisle, passed the elderly couple, and as they approached me, I saw them exchange disgusted looks with each other. As they passed me by, I heard one say, 'Did you see her hands! God she's so old! Who goes out in public looking like that!'
Now I ask you, has our society become so shallow, aging is now perceived as some disease, some horrible condition causing disgust? Has it become so bad, this visual media inspired obsession with appearance, that our younger folks have gone from, 'Oh my gosh! Your hair looks awful, you can't possibly go out in public', to 'Oh my gosh! You are so aged! You can't possibly show your face in public!'?
Porch buddies, I tell you what, I'm really feeling disheartened right now. I'm 57, should I plan on retiring from life in say ten years or so, out of consideration for the sensibilities of our younger generations?
How dare they! to have allowed themselves to visibly 'age'! seems to be the prevailing attitude of so many of our younger folks. As well, the attitude of 'Do we really need to SEE what our future holds, as to how human beings eventually physically deteriorate!'
My friends, I made a quick trip to the supermarket this morning, and as I headed down an aisle, there in front of me was an elderly couple, a man and woman. The woman suffered visibly with Rheumatoid arthritis, her poor hands so twisted and gnarled. Her gait was slow, stiff, and it was evident the arthritis with which she suffered affected other areas of her body. The elderly man, her companion, most likely her husband, walked slowly beside her, his hand on her elbow, helping her down the aisle.
Two women, probably in their late twenties, heading down the aisle, passed the elderly couple, and as they approached me, I saw them exchange disgusted looks with each other. As they passed me by, I heard one say, 'Did you see her hands! God she's so old! Who goes out in public looking like that!'
Now I ask you, has our society become so shallow, aging is now perceived as some disease, some horrible condition causing disgust? Has it become so bad, this visual media inspired obsession with appearance, that our younger folks have gone from, 'Oh my gosh! Your hair looks awful, you can't possibly go out in public', to 'Oh my gosh! You are so aged! You can't possibly show your face in public!'?
Porch buddies, I tell you what, I'm really feeling disheartened right now. I'm 57, should I plan on retiring from life in say ten years or so, out of consideration for the sensibilities of our younger generations?
Front Porch Appreciator
(Taking a seat, and gettin' comfy) Hello fellow Front Porchers...nice to make everyone's acquaintance.
I've spent many a satisfying hour or so, on a front porch...usually late on summer afternoons, just relaxing, ruminating, quietly enjoying that feeling of being 'alive'.
I've pondered world events, made important personal decisions, celebrated joyous moments, and mourned many a sad life experience. The porch has been shared, often, with family members, and many of my daughters' favorite moments from childhood are those we shared, seated companionably, side by side, conversing from our hearts. Knowing this brings a smile to my face...I have so many good memories of my Mama, and me, seated on the front porch of my parents' home. From Mama's porch, to my porch, to my daughters' porches, on goes my family's 'Front Porch' tradition. From the way my grandchildren enjoy a good old-fashioned Front Porch Sit, the odds of keeping the tradition alive seem very good, indeed.
I've spent many a satisfying hour or so, on a front porch...usually late on summer afternoons, just relaxing, ruminating, quietly enjoying that feeling of being 'alive'.
I've pondered world events, made important personal decisions, celebrated joyous moments, and mourned many a sad life experience. The porch has been shared, often, with family members, and many of my daughters' favorite moments from childhood are those we shared, seated companionably, side by side, conversing from our hearts. Knowing this brings a smile to my face...I have so many good memories of my Mama, and me, seated on the front porch of my parents' home. From Mama's porch, to my porch, to my daughters' porches, on goes my family's 'Front Porch' tradition. From the way my grandchildren enjoy a good old-fashioned Front Porch Sit, the odds of keeping the tradition alive seem very good, indeed.
