From an interview with
“We human beings live a long time after our reproductive peak. This is no accident. Our species took the necessity of aging and, from that, refined the virtues of elderhood. Elders are an integral, biologically determined element of the human cultural fabric and it is time they understood this role and begin to play their part.”
That caught my eye and my attention. So many species are programmed to reproduce and die, but we aren’t. There is a reason. We’re not just here to use up space and oxygen. The problem for so many of us is that we don’t know why we’re here. We need to find out why… and not let old age simply happen to us.
From an evolutionary standpoint, I think it would be important for elders to be around long enough to pass on important information - creation stories, traditions, herbal lore, hunting/gathering techniques, etc.
ReplyDeletePlus, the whole, "it takes a village" to raise kids thing... The elders were often in charge of the kids as the parents went out looking for food or doing manual labor (cutting wood, etc.).
Today... Well... we've obviously changed.
My own Grandpa, who's spent his life advocating for unions and the labor movement, continues to do so in the SF political realm, serves as president of the board of a SF landmark, and is active in many Irish charities/societies. He'll be 80 soon. I hope to have as much conviction and purpose as he does at the same age. Or any age, for that matter.
In your case, Grandpa has an even larger purpose...he's still teaching you!
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