Learning From Our Elders

I'd like to introduce you to my grandmother or as we all in the family call her, "Granny." I find it interesting in that a lot of the steps that I feel that I take toward living a better lifestyle are in fact elements that Granny has lived with for her 96 years. If you can see in the picture, Granny still plants tomatoes, squash, and bush beans every year, as well as tending her flowers. Back when Poppa was alive, they always had a large garden in their yard that had numerous fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

Granny has been a queen of the reusing principle of the three Rs. Granny has always reused plastic containers, sandwich bags, bread bags, vases, bag twisties, aluminum foil, boxes, wrapping paper, decorative elements, and the list goes on. In their past house, she had what we called a "mouse room" in which she stockpiled many of the above listed items as well as a manner other things. In this room, she also had items which she would buy in bulk thereby reducing the number of trips she had to take to the store to buy those items.

My grandmother also has had numerous items for many years. We still use the bedding and towels that she has had for years. Her china and silverware has been in the family for years. The paintings on her walls have graced past family photos for as long as 60 years ago. The furniture is often the same and/or any changes have been taken to the beach house for use. She still wears a lot of the same clothing that she has had for decades. And anything that Granny has gotten rid of has gone to missions or the church rummage sale generally.

A lot of this I contribute to the fact that Granny lived through the Depression era and as a young girl grew up on a farm in the midwest. Many individuals from the Depression era realize the importance of reusing past items and to giving to others that have need.

Which brings me to another aspect of Granny's personality. Granny is one of the most giving people I have ever met. When she had more available flowers and produce she would deliver items to others that she knew. She has always treated all people with respect and as equals. She has given of her time to numerous organizations and gives financially as well. She has always had a kind word, a special card, or a variety of other ideas to brighten the lives of those she interacts with.

I think of all of the history and changes (yet she's always been open to change-she even recycles!) that my grandmother has lived through, and I find it ironic that many of the "changes" that we need to make as a society in order to help the environment, in order to be more giving and loving to others, in order to benefit our spirituality and health, are already elements that at one time graced the lives of many of the "elderly" of our society. After spending many days with Granny during the last week, I felt very fortunate indeed that I have had such a fabulous role model-someone who really embodies many of the traits and behaviors to which we need to return. May we all feel so blessed by the memory and lessons of our elders, and may we be able to take the best and healthiest of their past ideas and return them to our present and future!