Profiting from the Elderly

"How old are you?" This can be a penetrating question if we divest it of all the baggage that comes with it in our present-day context. Old age is rarely respected in our climate. But it should be. It is akin to pointing out the maturity and the advancement of an elderly person. We see the wisdom in them as time flies. How much water has gone under the bridge? How much time do we ourselves have left? How can we invest in someone who is just beginning or in the prime of life? Can we help them avoid pitfalls, temptation, and adversity that we experienced? The discouragement and disappointment faced by those more advanced in years become very instructive for the young who will listen.