You’re an elder at 30 when you endeavor
to decide who will raise your children
if you cannot & how
You’re an elder at 40 when you taste
adversity & choose not to let the bitter
go into your words
You’re an elder at 50 when you forgive
yourself for the fishing trips
you’ll never have with your buddy
You’re an elder at 60 when you bury
your parents and stand in the
withering winds of grief
You’re an elder at 70 when you give
your best self to your grandchildren
and silently pray they were hearing
You’re an elder at 80 when you see
you still have work to do and
gifts to give
Mostly you’re an elder when you give
your best for the good of
the generations
Elder is not an age
Elder is a state
:- Doug.
