LISTEN

Do you have a neighbor or acquaintance who is over 65? Most of us do, because there are so many seniors still alive and vital.
We can help them live on after their body quits. This is one way:

They (we, yes I am a senior) have lived through wars, immense leaps forward in technology, men entering space and landing on the moon, alien sightings, metal and wooden toys, to mention just a few....! We have been so many places and seen sights now gone. We did things so differently but still got them done. We lived and continue to live exciting lives filled with joy and tragedy, and with everything imaginable in between. Boy, do we have stories to tell. All, we need is someone to listen with their heart, not just their ears.

How about a sample:

I was born in a state just south of the Mason-Dixon Line, which was neutral during the civil war.

My birth certificate shows the month, day, year, 'Eastern War Time', WWII. Yes, I have memories of black outs: when the sirens would sound and we would hide under the table while our planes flew overhead and dropped fliers NOT BOMBS. They were drills, but still scary.
The first time I remember seeing my brother was when he came home from the war. I had seen pictures of him, so I recognized him in his 'sailor' uniform. I was roller skating on the sidewalk when I saw him walking towards me. He put his duffel bag down, lifted me up and sat me on his shoulders. I was so proud of him, even though I didn't realize the meaning of the word 'war'.

My family was from New York, immigrated from Switzerland, Russia, Ireland, Scotland, France and French Canada. I am a Jewish, Irish, Scottish, French, Algonquin Native American. Now, that's a melting pot! But then, most of us are!

My mom was a singer in the 'rathskellers' (speak easy's) in NY city. My dad was a boxer, a stevedore, and a 'hoofer' (dancer). They traveled in the same circles with names like Jackie Gleason and Red Skelton, and George Raft. (Google them. They were marvelous stars).

Their stories were romantic, dramatic, and thrilling; as are mine. Would you like to hear more?
All you need to do is ask and listen (or in this case read). We usually have time to talk, especially if you are interested.

There are a million things I wish I would have asked my family, but they are gone. HOWEVER, the stories they did tell me still live on with me, my children and grandchildren, and now you.

Thanks for listening.