When I first read the above poem I asked myself ‘how old is an old woman?’ I remember taking a day off from school when I was twelve years old to take my grandma to Blackburn Infirmary because she had broken her wrist and it wasn’t deemed safe for her to go alone, even though she had a sound and active mind. Next week I shall travel to Norway, for the most part alone to visit my son; I am now the age my grandma was then; 72 years. How the world has changed! I do not think of, or feel myself to be an old woman. Inside there is still the young person there always was. I know that I have gifts and qualities that I can still share with others which will be mutually beneficial. The knowledge and experience gained over a life-time; the skills learned and honed through rearing a family and living life are precious and too hard won to be wasted or locked away in the confines of my memory. The intuitive skills sharpened over years of observing and listening to people have not diminished with age but rather have proved useful in the work I do now at T.H.O.M.A.S. Self-belief and confidence are as important in these later years as they were in my youth. Remembering what it was like to be young and unsure enables me to empathise with my grandchildren and other young people starting on the journey of life and hopefully has taught me not to be too judgemental. I hope their lasting memories of me will be inspirational (and I hope they don’t judge me if when I am old I start to wear purple and red hats). I count amongst my friends people from a broad age spectrum and I think it is very important to have a desire to explore and try to understand new ideas and new technology; to retain a thirst for knowledge and to encourage it in others. I also think that it is vital to recognize and encourage any talents in people in whichever field they choose. Perhaps even more importantly, especially with advancing years is to recognize the talents and God-given gifts within ourselves. I remember a nun who taught at the Grammar School which I attended saying that it was wrong, almost a sin to deny the gifts given us by God, they do not belong entirely to us,we should acknowledge them gratefully and share them with others rather than waste them. The rewards of this sharing are multiplied. I am not yet ready to be an ‘old woman’ and ‘run my stick along the public railings’ but as Jenny Joseph says ‘But maybe I ought to practise a little now? So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.’ |
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