| I am well aware that teenagers often think that | | | | husband, who left a legally witnessed will, leaving |
| people over thirty don't know anything. They are | | | | everything to her, but, within a few weeks |
| partially right---many of us don't know much | | | | relatives began to descend on her, claiming that |
| about things that interest teenagers, and don't | | | | "Dad," or "Uncle," or "Grandpa," had promised him |
| really want to. But that's not what I meant by | | | | or her a particular item. |
| the title of this article. | | | | His wife, still grieving, and a bit bewildered by it all, |
| When a group is formed at church or in some | | | | rather than risk dishonoring a promise her husband |
| other organization, a Senior Citizen is seldom | | | | may have made, handed over the items without |
| asked to lead it. It is just assumed that they | | | | question. It was months later that she realized |
| aren't capable of thinking clearly enough for such | | | | she had been the victim of greed. |
| an important job. | | | | Even senior citizens are sometimes guilty of |
| If a senior citizen applies for a regular 9-5 job, he | | | | assuming another person is senile just because of |
| or she is not likely to get it if there are other | | | | their age. |
| equally qualified applicants, or often some not as | | | | I overheard two older single men in a group I |
| qualified applicants. | | | | belonged to discussing a lovely, but very quiet |
| Should a Senior Citizen choose to run for | | | | widow lady in our group. One suggested that the |
| President, a major talking point against him is his | | | | other invite the lady in question to a movie, but |
| age. He is referred to as dottering, senile, not all | | | | the reply was, "No way. I think she's senile |
| there, and/or suffering from Alzheimer's disease. | | | | because she doesn't say much. Besides, she's too |
| (Although, I don't see how they could prove that | | | | old for my taste." Neither man was under 70 and |
| last point since even doctors admit that they | | | | both were overweight and almost bald. They |
| have to examine a brain after the patient has | | | | assumed that this woman was senile without |
| died to be sure of that diagnosis.) | | | | even knowing her. The truth is that she was |
| Today, I was called "Hon," at least 3 times by a | | | | younger than either of them and her shyness |
| clerk that waited on me in a local store. Do you | | | | kept her from talking much until she got to know |
| think she would have called a woman in her 30's | | | | a person well. |
| or 40's "Hon?" I don't think so. Do we older people | | | | Senior citizens are not all senile, as some people |
| look like little children or something? | | | | seem to think. True, many are not quite as |
| Sometimes, when a older person loses a spouse | | | | strong in body as they were a few years ago, |
| or someone close to them, they experience a | | | | but most still have as much if not more wisdom |
| temporary period of time during which they may | | | | than many younger people today. If you are |
| appear to be withdrawn and confused, but this is | | | | guilty of leaping to conclusions due to a person's |
| not limited to seniors. It is often used, however, | | | | age, take another look. You may be missing out |
| to take advantage of seniors. | | | | on one of the very best relationships of your life. |
| Recently, an elderly relative of mine lost her | | | | |