Time to focus on elderly
In
the lead up to the local government elections, each of the candidates contesting the Matamata Ward will speak about what’s important in the community, starting with Joanne Aoake.
My definition of the elderly is an overlooked resource in knowledge, wisdom, guidance, humour and value.
There is not an age that particularly defines them.
I moved home to look after my parents. I was fortunate to have them well into their 80s. It was both a duty and a responsibility. However the stories that we shared, the teachings that I learnt, the moments that will never come again meant that I was privileged and honoured to be the one that was home.
I got a first-hand look at what they offered to our family and to our community and how they participated in that community.
I watched them making financial decisions on a limited income. I watch them conserve energy when winter came, I listened when they spoke about family matters especially grandchildren, local news, the Government and what they might be up to and how will that affect them. I saw them interact with people in the service industry and other areas and didn’t know they knew half those people. I saw them consider what they could have this week in shopping and what had to wait. (Side note: I did help but to remove all responsibility challenged their independence which they furiously protected.) When they were in town I watched how they tried to be careful in case of uneven the footpaths.
I watched how they timed getting across the pedestrian crossing because some of those cars go too fast or they just don’t look. How the correct lighting affected where they parked. How far away they were from where they needed to be, if parking space was not available. How frustrated some people got if they didn’t speak up enough or were slow at getting out of people way, in the shops when paying and so forth. I also watched the elderly help each other they were all in the same club. By observing my parents later years I realised that our town needs to celebrate all the elderly for the contribution they have all made to this town. To you all I say I have your back.
Nga mihinui ki a koutou mo to manaki, whakaro, mo to kaha.
My parents are no longer with me but we owe the elderly a huge thank you.