Older Folks Have Treasures They Gladly Will Share

‘Curly,” an older gentleman who befriended my fiance and myself four years ago, was a constant source of advice and knowledge.

When he passed away recently, another “friend” inquired why we were so upset over his passing because “Curly” was just “some old man” whom my fiance and I visited sometimes. He made it sound as though we had finished some sort of volunteer stint and should be pleased that it was over.

How ignorant this person was. We had gained so much from our friend, including some unforgettable stories.

So many people have so much to give, but because they are older, they are seen as knickknacks that one puts on a shelf, thinking they will always be there.

Everett “Curly” Smith lived a life that was full and he shared many of his experiences with us. We never got a chance to thank him for his friendship. Now that he is gone, we realize we had taken it for granted that he would always be there to visit with.

Older people have so much to give back. The only problem is: No one wants to take what they have to offer without getting something of a material nature out of the relationship. I once met a woman who got a job at a nursing home and befriended a few of the residents, just so they would put her in their wills.

Our older generation deserves our respect. Listen to them. Many people may be surprised at how much they can learn by just taking the time to pay attention to what older people have to say. “Curly” taught us a lot about life. I only wish we had met him sooner or that he had been around longer. He left behind many friends and countless stories of his surprisingly exciting life. We will miss him very much and will pass the stories he shared with us on to others.

Never take for granted what is right in front of your eyes. The person doesn’t have to be related to you; “Curly” was not related to us.

The next time you have the opportunity, visit with an older person. You may be surprised at what you come away with. It costs nothing, but what you gain is worth more than money.

MEMO: “Your turn” is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a “Your turn” column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write “Your turn,” The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane 99210-1615.