rocknrobn26 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Don't ask me why but I started getting into a conversation with my 89 yo Mom about: The Old Hood Our old friends My Grandpa My Grandma My Dad Family in general And just chit! and more. Anyway we spent 2 hours plus talking about this stuff. Mind you she is always in a hurry to get home for no reason, but she stuck around this time! I was amazed as to how much my Mom remembered and how many times she corrected me! I did correct her a few times, but her recollections were spot on. I saw a tear in her eye whilst talking about the good times and not so good times, but she didn't want to leave even w/ my wife's beckoning! She's going home with a few...."Dammit I just can't remember the name". But that's good for her brain. DAMN!!!!!!!!!!! These are moments I treasure. And the whole point of this post is: "TALK TO YOUR ELDERS!!!" It's fun, informative, and irreplaceable knowledge! Every bit is priceless. NEVER IGNORE our elders. Pay attention to everything they say. There is value there. It's your life's history. Treasure it. FAMILY!!!!! No replacement for that. FWIW...My Mom is still a spring chicken even at 89 yo. I love and cherish my time w/ her and dread the inevitable. I just hope yall can appreciate what I have w/ my family but especially my Mom and I hope and pray yall have the same experience. God Bless yall! Listen... rr26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 (edited) My grandfather is 91 years old. He is actually the one that started our construction company. I love listening to him tell me about the buildings he built, which architects were fun to work with and which were SOBs. I still take him out on the job sites 3 or 4 times a year, and am always amazed at how much stuff has changed as is he, some for the better and some for the worse. I can listen to him talk about his time during WW II for hours on end. A few years ago we drove all over two counties over about a months worth of weekends with a dictaphone chronicling different places he'd lived, buildings he'd built, people he knew, where the city limits of each particular town was in each decade, etc..... I love spending time with him. The first thing I ever built was a deer stand out at his deer lease where he taught me to hunt. He still gets around pretty well, and is very lucid. The only thing I've noticed is he is a little more emotional than he used to be, and his hearing isn't that good. At 91 he still does two routes for meals on wheels delivering meals to "the old people". Edited December 5, 2009 by Perchoutofwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Country Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 One of the best reports I did in one of my college classes was a biography of my grandfather. I went and interviewed him and we talked for several hours about things he never really talked to me about, from his childhood to his WWII experiences, to his decision to move his family from England to Dallas and then to northern California. It was great, my only regret is that I did not record our conversations. He passed away a little less than a year after I did that report on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polksalet Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I miss my grandparents for sure. But you have to be careful, age doesn't keep someone from being stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I would talk to my elders, but I'm the oldest one around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whomper Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Ursa, PM sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perchoutofwater Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 Ursa, PM sent Make sure you take Polk's warning seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 My mom is 81 years old. Last Thanksgiving we were all talking about our youth and I learned from my mom the prominent doctor who lived 4 doors down came to our house and flashed her through the window It was the first time she told anyone, now over 40 years later. She didn't even tell my father. I ws good friends with her daughter so that must have made it difficult as well. Last Thanksgiving was the time when the economy was really tanking and talk of a possible depression. I talked with my mom about what it was like living during that tme. For about a year, my grandfather only worked every other week. I also did some research while there and learned the largest bull market in our history was during the depression in 1931. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I've had the pleasure of meeting RR's mom in person--she is da bomb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 The thingts one can learn from our elders is... irreplacable. From their life experiences to family history and everything in between. I've seen families ignore them. My ex's Grandmother was a jem. No one talked to her... except for me. From being born in Canada, growing up in Montana with no running water, and witnessing the advent of automobiles, she was just facsinating to talk to. Don't wait, or you could miss something extraordinary in your life. Even if they are a bit senile, the long term memory is still there. It also, BTW, actually helps them remain more lucid. Good reasons all to take the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted December 6, 2009 Author Share Posted December 6, 2009 I've had the pleasure of meeting RR's mom in person--she is da bomb. TY, wiegie. I just told her what you said and she said "Da Bomb??? What does that mean?" Before I had a chance to explain she said "By the way I missed all my TV shows last nite!". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 RR, if this is some elaborate ruse to get us to listen to you it's not going to work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 RR, if this is some elaborate ruse to get us to listen to you it's not going to work! Not a ruse...but I posted this to make youngin's like you to talk to your family elders, gather info, before it's too late! Believe me the experience is unreal and worthwhile. Just do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I wish some of my elders were still around. When I was a young teen, my Great Grandmother was about 104, give or take a few, and I loved when my grandfather would take me out to see her. She was amazing. She knew me all the time and would talk about all my brothers and sisters. She had eight kids of her own and outlived all but two of them. She knew what kids went with what parents and kept track of all sorts of things that just had me scratching my head. She was a special lady that I really would love to have back for a little while. One Mothers Day, the same day was her birthday, she was on the cover of the Pittsburgh Press with five living generations under her. She was known as Baby in the home that she lived. RR - you made my eyes well up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 There should be a "like" button on here like facebook:) My grandma was the coolest, she's passed now, but she could chop heads off of rattlesnakes with no hesitation or fear. She also told me, when in doubt, just pray the rosary and your fears will subside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocknrobn26 Posted December 8, 2009 Author Share Posted December 8, 2009 I wish some of my elders were still around. When I was a young teen, my Great Grandmother was about 104, give or take a few, and I loved when my grandfather would take me out to see her. She was amazing. She knew me all the time and would talk about all my brothers and sisters. She had eight kids of her own and outlived all but two of them. She knew what kids went with what parents and kept track of all sorts of things that just had me scratching my head. She was a special lady that I really would love to have back for a little while. One Mothers Day, the same day was her birthday, she was on the cover of the Pittsburgh Press with five living generations under her. She was known as Baby in the home that she lived. RR - you made my eyes well up. As did mine after my Mom went home. God it was great! I took my dad home from the hospital the day before he died (that hit me like a brick!). We had a good talk, though I never realized he was going to die the next day. I still hold those moments close to my heart. There should be a "like" button on here like facebook:) My grandma was the coolest, she's passed now, but she could chop heads off of rattlesnakes with no hesitation or fear. She also told me, when in doubt, just pray the rosary and your fears will subside That's what this post is about! REMEMBERING/TALKING/LISTENING! Most of us don't realize what we have/had until it's too late. DON'T WAIT!!! You and Skip got my message, and maybe more. That's enough Gold. Talk to the Elders. It's an experience you will ALWAYS remember, and hopefully cherish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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