We have a nagging habit of forgetting the old and moving on to the new. We have a habit of moving on too fast.  We are so concerned about what we actually now are and what we are going to be in the near future that we forget the people who have helped to make our present and sow the seeds which will make our future.

The elders will always have an invaluable presence in our life, always no matter how old we get or how much independence we call upon. In their own way they are going to make their presence known, for what can we be if we do not receive the love of the elders? What can we be without their reservation and fears and their failure to understand our modern ways of life? Without their restrictions slowly turning into love and liberal way of thoughts once they see that we have managed to fulfill their desires in spite of all their nagging, in spite of their fear and insecurity that we are going to shame them when we grow up? What can we be if our first petty sins and mistakes are not punished, not corrected by them? If there were no elders, and we were left to ourselves to guide ourselves alone, we will fail for sure. Our past, present and the future-all will be engraved by darkness so deep that searching for the light will never be an option.

Will Christmas, Hanukkah and all the other festivals around the world be filled with the same amount of light, and grandeur and vibrant humdrum if the elders would slowly fade to our memories never to be recalled or relived? Who are going to surprise us with gifts and surprises, and stories of their old childhoods? Who are going to lull us to sleep for hours at a stretch and patiently acknowledge our refusal to do so, our cries and wails, our constant pestered demands, our over-ambitious aims and follies? Who are going to walk us to school and watch with proud, wet eyes as we complete our graduation? Who are going to constantly blame and accuse us of not working too hard for success and scare us by predicting our failure cause of it but at the same time be at our side, mentoring and encouraging if indeed we do fail? The answer is simple-them. Nobody can take their place, nobody else can be them.

This society and our lifestyle will all be in a deep dark hole if it was not for them and their taught ethics, rules and habits. Their place is not and should not be in old age homes and in neglected minds, they should be in our hearts, in our homes, taken care of and given respect to. They are an invaluable presence, enriching today’s world with the simplicity and beauty that only they can afford. The elders will never grow old. They will always remain young. They are always going to be priceless, irreplaceable and a lovable aspect of our lives.