One person I know developed her own innovative way to use her special skills. She is a retired geography professor who takes a carload of students from an inner-city school on a field trip almost every week throughout the school year. Indeed, parishes couldn t survive without their assistance. Commenting on parishioners who receive pastoral care and recognizing that parishes differ in their needs and resources, the pastoral says that, when a parish cannot provide a service, it must be able to direct older persons, their family members and caregivers to appropriate resources. In later life you begin to wonder if your life has made a difference to anyone if it has meaning.
Older people can be positive role models, create pleasant memories and be considered blessings.
For example, grandparents can pass along their cultural heritage to their grandchildren and then return the favor by listening attentively as the youngsters tell their stories. Even homebound people, who often are the recipients of services, can pray for others, give compliments and say, Thank you. The pastoral asks young adults to identify their image of older people. All of us need to reflect upon the image we project to those who might copy our behavior. It s much easier to be a pleasant and productive older person if such a pattern was established at an earlier age.