By Emily Marshall, LMSW
The last time I went to set up my dad’s meds in his medication planner, I brought my youngest kiddo with me. Herbie is a wild and curious almost 3-year-old little boy who loves everything. While we were there, he talked my parents’ ears off non-stop and was ever-so-excited about a flashlight that he had found. He carried that flashlight as he ran all around the house, chattering away, shining the light on anything he could find.
That same day, my mom pulled me aside and with joy beaming from her face, thanked me for bringing Herbie over and reminded me to “enjoy the pitter patter of little feet”.
Older adults, like kids, often notice things that the general population overlook. Herbie was enthralled with the flashlight, while my mom was enthralled with the pitter patter of little feet. Both are unique and special in their own way. And that noticing is a beautiful thing.
Recently, we got my older son, Dex, a set of rock-climbing rocks that you can attach to the trunk of a tree with straps. He was giddy. We have one large tree in our back yard, but the branches are too high up to be able to climb it easily. But not with the rock-climbing rocks! Once we attached those, with a little encouragement, Dex went straight up that tree and into its branches.
In a somewhat similar vein, my mom broke her femur this year. Let me tell you – that is not a fun bone to break. It’s taken a long time to heal and getting mobility back has not been an easy task. But with the help of a super helpful physical therapist, the gentle nudges of encouragement from her daily caregivers, and the use of physical aids like her walker – she can get up out of her bed, move around the house, and get out and enjoy the world, too!
All my mom and Dex needed was a little extra stability – whether that be some rock-climbing rocks, or a walker – and a little extra encouragement to get going.
My boys are “snuggle bugs” – they love to cuddle and snuggle and be as close to me and my husband as humanly possible when they want that connection time. Herbie follows us around like a shadow, especially in the kitchen, asking question after question, wanting to be near us and learn what we’re doing, what we’re making. Both boys want to be a part of our lives and crave that connection.
My parents are the same way. Every morning, I send my mom a video message chattering away and telling her my plans for that day. She calls me throughout the week, and we connect on our daily happenings. My family drops by and we let our wild boys loose in their house while the adults catch up. My parents want to be a part of our lives and crave that connection. Just like my boys.
My kids and my aging parents have much more in common than I realized. They notice the little things and are grateful. They need a little extra “stability” and encouragement. They crave connection and being a part of our lives.
Taking a step back and recognizing these beautiful correlations, I am reminded to slow down and enjoy every stage of life. Sure, each stage has its own unique challenges. But each stage is also beautiful and can teach us something about ourselves and each other and the world we live in.
Emily Marshall is a care manager supervisor/social worker for Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-6542-810 or visit www.areaagencyonaging.org. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.