The Power of Shared Experiences
I’m often amazed at how quickly my guests can launch me back in time. Whether it’s Eileen reminding me of my Mom, or Don who reminds me of my Dad, I feel a little piece of my family present in my new extended family. Although my guests are elderly and often frail of body, they each possess the power to reincarnate parts of my own life that would otherwise grow dusty in the file cabinets of my memory. Last week was no exception.
It’s an honor to care for 96 year old Homer. As he first walked into my home, I felt as though I had gone back in time. This man carried a walking stick right out of a 14th century novel. It was a branch of a tree, gnarled and weathered, that Homer said he made years ago.
As he walked up to my house for the first time, I recognized a presence about him. He carried himself well, with an air of confidence that translated more like “contentment”. “Comfortable in his own skin”, as my friend Audrey says.
Born in Missouri, one of 12 kids (6 boys and 6 girls), Homer talked about work like it was an art form, and a potion for life. Homer is non-assuming and non-threatening; he is friendly and astute. We talked as if we had known each other for a long time, and for a few minutes I was young again. For a few minutes, I was talking with my great-grandpa again and listening to him answer my Dad’s questions about his time on earth.
Great-grandpa Drendel (1861-1965) still read the newspaper every day until the month he died. I can still see my Dad’s face, hanging on his every word. Simple, pure moments in time, pieces of history that I will never forget… this is the joy of Golden Elders!
I am grateful for the reminder of these lessons learned so long ago. I am grateful to be able to provide today’s caregivers with the time they need to nourish themselves. But mostly I’m grateful for yet another opportunity to spend time in the company of wise people like Homer!