Of course by now many of you know our great news … our newest grandson arrived safely and is doing well. My daughter Terri is also doing well and recovering. Many of you have been with me on this journey over the last few months and I give thanks for the support that you have given. Words cannot express just how much your thoughts, prayers, cards, gifts and presence have meant. Yet another example of how community makes the road much easier.
What Merle Would Say
On Sunday I had the amazing opportunity to celebrate with the oldest member of our congregation, Merle Nelson, her 109th birthday. As she held court in the hall people from family, community and church came to share in her day. Her beautiful smile and her grace-filled presence was indeed a gift to all who gathered.
I wonder what Merle would say to someone just beginning the journey or what someone beginning the journey would say to her. In my head I imagine a conversation that is filled with wisdom, curiosity, laughter, wonder, concern, love and perhaps even some differing of opinion. It would be wonderful to hear or be apart of.
How Much I Would Have Missed
As I reflect on this I can’t help but feel a little sadness over how much we miss because we do not take the time to cross those generational boundaries and engage with one another. The elders in our midst are often dismissed as old and out of touch and the young folk in our midst are often seen as inexperienced and without much to offer. When we follow this line of logic I think we distort the picture and limit the possibilities of who we are and who we can become.
As a young preteen one of my companions was my brother-in-law’s Father. I am uncertain of the age difference between us but in my memory he was old and I simply called him “Father”. At the age of about 11 he became my pen pal and we spent the next few years writing back and forth to one another. Some people wondered what we could possibly have to write to each other about but for me it was a highlight of my day when one of his letters would arrive. He was interested in how things where going for me; took the time to respond to any questions that I had asked in my last letter and always had a story to tell about something that had happened to him in his early years. 
The shortest letter I received from him was 13 pages! His journey in this realm has long since ended but his letters, his words of wisdom, the moments of laughter and challenges we shared remain with me. I can honestly say that my life was blessed by his and I hope that his was blessed by mine. How much I would have missed had I simply dismissed him as old!
My prayer is that you will take a moment to talk to an elder or a young child, break down those generational barriers and open yourself to something amazing!
Blessings
Valerie
© 2017 Rev. Valerie Peyton Kingsbury. All rights reserved.