FootprintsintheWind.com

I want to make sense. And capture fire.

:- Doug.

We have—we are—an additional generation. This widespread longevity and health presents us the opportunity to fashion elderhood for the good of generations.

:- Doug.

Might we approach age as a conversation?

:- Doug.

What are the responsibilities and joys of elderhood?

:- Doug.

This shrinking and expanding is us. Our household is specific and local. Notice: it is and always is us and our.

:- Doug.

It is not about us receiving affection, but for the grandchildren finding and pointing up the role of affection.

:- Doug.

The turning point is that as our orbit shrinks economically, it can expand foundationally, in what lasts. In choices. For the oncoming generations. For ourselves in deciding to help.

:- Doug.

There is something hidden in tiny things, seldom noticed: it flows. Perhaps it is affection. Perhaps generativity. It flows downhill.

:- Doug.

In retirement, in old age, the charge of the corporation, nation, and economy is removed from us. We no longer make decision in millions or hundreds of thousands of Dollars and hundreds of jobs. In what ways then is this a culmination? Mark that it is.

As our concerns and powers reduce to human size, something barely noticed but real opens for us.

We are weak and small with a tiny orbit. We are also agents of generations.

In playing with the grandchildren, in baking cookies, in telling stories, knitting and praying, we are touching the lives of their grandchildren.

:- Doug.

Help folks find the deeper paths: I have been on some of them; I may not be able to guide; but I can go with to opening.

:- Doug.

Land of breath, wind, and whispers
you’ve opened to me a few of your courses
now I am able to accompany

:- Doug.

Shimmering leaves
flowing wind
our spirits
carry through
one another if

:- Doug.

Footprints in the Wind^sm # 1828

In these times we seem to talk past each other, when our talk could swirl among us.

Please pass it on.

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I need to remember that my task is not to convince people to become elders; more it is to find and encourage those who are, in whatever stage of their elderhood. Inkling, surprised, beginning, advanced: elders help elders.

:- Doug.

What does it mean to you to fulfill the role of elder? Does it scare you that people might look to you for wisdom? Is it on a pedestal too high? Does the idea lack concreteness? Do you feel left out since you have no grandchildren? Do you know there are as many ways to be elder as there are old people, maybe more? Do you feel the age for making a difference has passed you by? Are you beyond doing, leaning in toward being? Do you know that your years of experience can be of real value to the oncoming generations?

:- Doug.

This eldering won’t leave me alone. I am wrestling over whether it has truth and value. Truth in the sense that there are thousands of ways of being elders; value in the sense of how can we ever capture it all, make it make sense to people?

:- Doug.

Try on some of the roles available to elders for 6 weeks. Design roles to fit you.

:- Doug.

This course asks, Is it possible the living world of the grandchildren can be better than this one? Can we help?

:- Doug.

What happens to us
as we fall through time?
What do we happen to—and whom?

:- Doug.

To live with pleasure among
and affection for

:- Doug.

To live among senior old people
to live among infants of any species
to live from mystery
these are beings we did not make
powers we cannot comprehend

:- Doug.

You spent your life as an adult
working for others
concerned with volume and price
Now is a time your elder years to see
to weal, fertility, wholeness, life
for the grandchildren of all the grandchildren

:- Doug.

Friend, converse with me.

:- Doug.