When the gray hairs start to appear and your nest empties, you know you are one of those “senior citizens.” Looking in the mirror, you can’t imagine how you aged so quickly. It’s been a long journey filled with daily challenges and lessons to learn. Now you are “more mature,” there should be some wisdom you have gathered that you can share with your loved ones.
You may find that your family is too busy to even slow down long enough to speak to you on the telephone, let alone visit you. In order to communicate with them, you may have to get into their online world of emailing, texting or Facebooking to make contact. (Photo of my grandmother, mom and me as the new mom with my first son. Now I'm the grandmother of five and my mother and grandma are gone. My first son is a father.)
Forget the “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks” idea and become acquainted with the new technologies available to help you link up with your family. No computer? Visit your local library or a neighbor. Take a class. Ask your grandkids for help, they’ll love to teach you how to use the computer and its many programs. You may even become the recipient of their old outdated computer.
Soon you’ll find yourself looking forward to electronic visits with family, if you live some distance from them. “Skyping” will seem natural as you talk face to face with the aid of a computer camera and a mike for free online. Now is the time to share what you’ve learned with your family about life. Don’t be shy, encourage them now in their daily struggles. Find opportunities to listen and communicate. Open your mouth and share your experiences. Be supportive. It’s time to share the wisdom you’ve picked up over your lifetime.
Retelling stories from your life and how you solved problems that came your way can help your posterity, and even become a guide for them. Just thinking of what you want to say to your family can help you understand better the lessons you've learned. You hold the key to your family legacy, traits and values handed down from your parents and grandparents that won’t be passed on IF you don’t find your voice. Touch the hearts of your children and help them along their path as they follow in your footsteps. The holidays are a perfect time to share memories from your life with your family. It will be cathartic for you and a treasure to your family.