I found the item on last night’s news very distressing. Two girls kicking an elderly man. I asked myself ‘why?”. I got no answer. No matter how often I asked that same question no answer was forthcoming.

Every human being, young or old, deserves respect. Youth is not the only place to be. Every age is beautiful. The elderly, in particular, need help to maintain their dignity. We don’t have to look very far before we see sick, frail or frightened older people. They deserve all that is good. Inside the body of an aged person there is a heart. A heart that feels joy and pain. A heart that cannot always express feelings. An elderly person may need help to find a purpose in life so each day they can look forward to something better than being kicked.

The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. They have so much experience, knowledge , wisdom and often survival skills. Give them time, a smile and a listening ear. The reward and the privilege will be ours.