I’m the one and this is the place☀️🙏🏻

                                                              Here I am….send me Lord!

‘In our culture we never ever reject an offering from our elderly. That would be a terrible offence’. Gracious African man’s reply when I asked why he did not refuse my offer of coats for his children even though he did not need them. He almost took them but thank God I sensed he was just being nice.

Wow! He wasn’t telling me that I am old. On the contrary he was telling me that as an elder I am precious, honoured, appreciated and loved. Elderly is good!

Imagine what our land would be like if our elderly were treated in that way. As if we mattered!

So, let us live our best life day by day, ageing as we go but never ever growing old. Let us occupy our place, advanced in age but young at heart. Each one of us unique, precious and unrepeatable.

If we do not pass on to young folk what we have gleaned up and down the long years, then how will they ever know. I believe without question or doubt that our young folk will appreciate and be eternally grateful.

I know it because every time a young person accepts my prayer their eyes tell me so.

‘I’m not afraid to die, I’m just a bit embarrassed. I should have done more’.                                           (Elderly priest’s deathbed words).

‘Most people are not afraid of dying….they are afraid of not having lived’. (Harry S. Kushner).

‘There’s nothing quite so consoling as an older person who, somehow or other, did not end up embittered by the way life has treated him or her and still retains a sense of humour and hope in God. To know someone ground down in their body but undaunted in spirit is a great encouragement’. (Fr. David May/Restoration/Madonna House)