Learn to see the many abundant gifts in your aging

As the Geezer Forum concludes its fifth year — and begins its sixth year in January — I want to remind you of the forum’s two basic purposes.

The first is information on a wide variety of aging issues that all older adults will likely deal with, as well as some of the resources available to us.

The second is affirmation on who we are as older adults and what we are capable of being and doing. Next Tuesday’s Geezer Forum will focus primary of the affirmation of older adults — not just those of us who can gather for 90 minutes, but of geezers-in-training (us).

So together, in both serious and laughing conversations, we will invite each other to “Unwrap Your Gifts of Aging.” So before you deny you don’t have any gifts of aging to share, affirm these possibilities in yourself!

If you “Google” things on a computer, type in “The seven blessings of aging.” You will find a very affirming article by Sr. Joan Chittister that was adapted from her wonderful book “The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully.”

You will find personal insights as you consider Perspective, time, freedom, newness, tale telling, relationships; and transcendence. If you’re scratching your head wondering what those words have to do with gifts of blessing, please read the article.

I’m one who considers blessings to be gifts of some kind, so both words fit together easily for me. I posted the article on my Facebook page also, in case you want to check it out there.

I also found other resources on the internet about gifts of aging. One is called giftsofaging.blogspot.com. Monthly articles about aging issues are found there. They look similar to Dear Geezer.

Another resource is a video called “New Beginnings: The Gifts of Aging.” It was produced by a United Methodist clergy friend of mine, Rick Gentzler.

At our Nov. 28 Geezer Forum, I gave participants 3x5 cards to write down any gifts of aging they were thinking about. I’ll share them all next Tuesday in a PowerPoint slide show, even as I also invite folks to share the gifts they’ve considered . I’m sure every gift has its own story.

One gift is “retirement” because you can choose what you want to do with your day. Another gift is “realizing that you don’t know everything and that there is still so much to learn.” Wow! I’ve been known to say that it’s when we stop learning that we really grow old, not just older.

Another person considers “being less concerned about other people’s opinion of you” is a gift of aging. Two others? The gift of “reflection” and also “the ability to learn from our experiences”. Words of wisdom can also be gifts of aging, like “Life is too short to look for matching socks”!

Please join us Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2:30-4 p.m., in the Community Room of Columbia Bank. An extra bonus: Refreshments will be provided (a rare treat). Cookies will be provided by the chef of Luther Park, and coffee/tea will be readied by Tango Cafe. Please join us!

Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com