The elderly seek attention and company from younger members of their family . They are eager to listen and long to share their life experiences. John A.Pescud is not only respectful but also very patient with Colonel Allyn, Jessie's father. As a reporter, write an article for an newspaper, on the importance of the elderly in our lives.
Answers
The importance of the elderly in our lives
The elderly people are our roots that support us at the base underground; though they are hidden underground, our existence without them is impossible. As there can be no present without the past, similarly, the young cannot have their being without the elderly. We forget to comprehend the power of the old that is keeping the world stable. Our very life will come to a standstill without the elderly. 'Old is gold' aptly describes the importance of old people in our life.
Have you ever been hurt? Have you ever undergone the agonizing pains of heartbreak? Have you ever fallen ill? Have you ever felt any dilemma in your life? Have you ever felt lonely and forlorn? If yes, you must be remembering vividly who stands by you through the vicissitudes of dark and hard time! Our parents and grandparents shine in our dark world like rays of light. Great authors, leaders, scientists, doctors, etc often do breakthrough in their respective fields in their old age usually, which is no less than a light shining in the dark. If living more number of years is old age, then the sun, the stars, the rivers, the oceans, the mountains must be termed old also. If they are old, who is making our world go? The truth is old people are the most indispensable part of our life. They are the light of this otherwise dark world. We must respect them and love them for their invaluable light of love and wisdom in our life!
In the chapter, The Bestseller by O Henry, we find Miss Allyn living under the loving care of her father, Colonel Allyn. She asked John A Pescud to seek her father’s permission if he was willing to get married to her. The caring and wise father immediately jusged John A Pescud’s true love for his daughter and gave his approval. John A Pescud liked his father-in-law so much that he requested to stay with him even after marriage. His married life was filled with limitless love and care.
It is very unfortunate that in some families, the elderly are not given due respect and treated badly. They are discarded by their own children for petty things in life. Such lonely elderly people have to take shelter in old age homes. We must not forget that homes cease to be sweet homes without the elderly. The elderly people have all the valuable experience and wisdom with them. We must use it to make our life better. Besides, the kind of unconditional love we get from them, no other person or being can give us that type of love. We must hold on to the elderly people in our families and stay in the light of their love and wisdom. We need the elderly and the elderly need us!