Representative image of senior citizens.
Credit: Getty Images
Life often has a way of springing lessons on us as pleasant surprises in the most unexpected ways. I recall attending an annual function at an elder care centre in Bengaluru a couple of months ago. The members gathered around mid-morning and showcased their varied and vintage talents.
The audience mostly consisted of their immediate and extended families besides their neighbours and friends. It was a treat to watch them display their skills in yoga or Tai Chi, sing, dance, playact, and spoof creatively—a show that lingered on in the mind and altered the mindset. For those of us who think old age is a curse of sorts, beset by aches and pains and deteriorating strength, the show was stimulating. Do not for a moment think that all these glittering stars on the stage are blessed souls without a care in life.
On the contrary, they happen to be seasoned souls who know how to put behind the setbacks and put their best foot forward to make life pleasant for themselves and those around them. The fact that they had meticulously planned, practiced, and played out their programme with utmost enthusiasm and sincerity spoke volumes about the wondrous qualities of sincerity and passion, which must have been the guiding forces of their lives. Dedication and determination came through the veneer of the lightheartedness displayed on stage in each and every piece.
What struck me was their enthusiasm and joy in taking an infinite number of videos, pictures, and selfies. It was as if they wanted to freeze the moment in their memories. Some of them also uploaded the pictures merrily on social networking sites and were thrilled to share the responses that filled their little screens almost immediately.
The fun-filled full house, the fanfare, and the feverish fervour that ruled the day also demolished another of my stereotypes that senior citizens are lost and considered obsolete in this tech-savvy world. They not only had updated themselves with the latest technology but also used it expertly, almost on par with their grandchildren. That was not all; while a magazine brought out on the occasion celebrated their cerebral capabilities, the sumptuous lunch enjoyed despite various diet restrictions at the end of the function gave a glimpse of the gourmets who had nurtured a fine taste for all the beautiful gifts that life has to offer. They proved that age is just a number for those with a zeal for life.
This experience was an eye-opener, challenging my perceptions about ageing and senior citizens. It showed me that life’s lessons can come in unexpected ways and that older adults are a source of inspiration, wisdom, and joy.