Now I could say I have just become a pensioner
going into gentle cognitive decline
living in my own personal private madness

There isn’t much expected of us once we reach this age – in fact we are seen as burdens – as annoying expendable family members of no importance whatsoever – and we are dumped in old people’s homes by the thousands to be drugged up to the eyeballs and given really bad food – as we just can’t be ‘expensive’ burdens on society as well!
Some cultures haven’t reached the West’s level of brutal disinterest and utter detachment from feelings which cause this to be the norm – but the ‘west’ – as the cultural viewpoint – is prevalent and insidious and sneaks into all cultures.

Now I could say I am becoming an elder
That I am important – I have experience and can be a great teacher and storyteller
I have learned compassion – I know what love is.
I can nurture and I keep the legacy – I am part of ancestry – I am lineage.
There are states of mind – a depth of feeling – deep knowledge – that many cultures are now loosing – just like we are and have in the west – as elders possess all of these because they have lived – are still living.

I choose Elder

As I am not weak – I refuse to be a burden – although being taken care of is fair reward for all my past nurturing and care when I was a strong adult – Let’s be honest – discarding those who have worked hard to take care of you in the past is the most abominable thing you can do as a young adult.

I choose Elder

As the flowering of my experience is now –  my stories have never been better, – my insight has become so profound – I can touch the divine in my meditations – and I can feel and show compassion – even to those who are evil – because I know they are lost.

I choose Elder

As do all those in cultures, societies and families that still know the evolution of life, still see their own strength, In knowledge, in experience and in wisdom.

In the elders.

be kind
be nice
be compassionate

even to those who can do nothing for you