by Gary Maclean

Created on: September 22, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2010

The wisdom, the warmth and the history of your family lies within the thoughts of a few remaining elders. Grand parents, in particular, are virtual banks of stories, tales, legends and truths regarding your ancestors and distant kin. Most people don't take advantage of the written word today so most of these tales are not recorded any where other than in the annals of your elderly relations. Believe me, they think of them every day.

When all of your elderly family members are gone you will be surprised at how much you used to rely on them. Forgot an aunt's birthday? Call Grandma, she'll know. Can't remember when your Great Grampa first came to America? Call Grampa, he's got the answers. How did your deceased Mom meet your Dad? I bet Grandma knows. Once the elders are gone, if these little facts have not been recorded, they go to the grave with the owners. Best to take advantage of their presence and wisdom, while you can.

I have found in my short 60 years on this planet that one of the most prominent complaints of elderly people is the fact that no one ever comes to see them. Nobody visits, not even their kids. I used to be admonished every time I went to see my Mom because I didn't go see her enough. When I was younger I would go visit my aunts and uncles and would be met with surprise and delight. They never expected me but they were thrilled to have me.

Out would come the cakes and cookies, milk and soda, just about anything I wanted was at my disposal. They were willing to share their meager store of supplies for just a few minutes, maybe an hour, of warm companionship. All I had to do was to ask one simple question and off they would go. They would preface their tale with something like "Oh, you probably don't want to hear about this again but," or "I probably told you this story a dozen times, honey." I never let on that I knew anything about what they were going to share with me; I just sat politely, and comfortably I might add, and listened intently.

For the most part the facts were always the same. Sometimes they would enhance their story with a few more details. Then, on occasion, I would ask about one or two of the details and that would give them another 20 minutes of story telling time. Bottom line, I was paying them some attention. I was acknowledging them and validating them. They would have done almost anything to keep me there for an afternoon. Often I did stay that long. Their stories, besides their company, kept me enthralled.

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