Hey, a kindred spirit, 50+ years worth. But unfortunately their time will come and then they will understand.

Geo.

My father warned me of this. Fortunately, I am the family historian and spent my life eavesdropping on adult conversation. I would listen to my grandparents retell stories about their lives for hours and enjoy every minute of it. Now I bore people to tears with stories about my husband, my father, my mother, my grandparents. And really I just hope that maybe on of them will realize what treasures I am trying to pass on to them. And honestly I wish I had tape recorded some of those conversations so I could have a more accurate memory.

Hugs,
Val

Isn't that the truth! I regret not going to visit my widowed next door neighbor much more. Others also. Now I know how lonely life can be! (Isn't that a phrase from some old song?) :-)

Many life lessons are learned only thru experience. Anyone who has lost their spouse will understand your need to share memories. People who are still married, in many cases, are still complaining about their mate's faults. Little do they realize that someday they would give big bucks just to be with their loved one again, regardless of what they said or did.
Hugs to you MJ46 - Hang in there,\
Doye

A very wise wonderful friend once told me "I who thought the old man odd, am now the odd old man"

We ALL get older . . and it's a beautiful thing! Some of the youngsters may not understand our "lessons passed down" . . but eventually they will. No need to feel that you have nothing of value to share, as you do. We all do! Maybe it will not resonate within the younger generation now, but it will eventually. I have so many fond memories of the generations that came before me. I wish I could retrieve those awesome people and their wisdom today! Please don't think you are without a "cause" on this earth. You are still here because you do indeed have a cause and effect. Hugs, D

I must be from a different breed.
As a child I always had an affinity for old folks. I was always the one who spent hours listening to their amazing stories. Especially as it was Post War Britain...in fact we had such an honour and respect for those people, I realize now as I am older, old people have become isolated....that's a travesty!!!. Our family and all our neighbours would spend evenings, listening to all their stories.. I didn't see a TV until I was 12 years old......
Oops sorry, I guess I'm just an old fogey, remembering!!!!
Big hugs.....Sandra

I'm 49, not as old as feel right now, but at 49 I am old enough for me.
I was raised (and we raised our sons) in the country. So gathering out around the fireside listening to the older generations tell their stories is a way of life for us. My husband passed 3 days after his 55th birthday. We had been talking about it a few days before his birthday. He kinda laughed and said he was going to be one of the older folks, seems like turning 55 was the "rite of passage" to tell "old" stories to the younger ones. He looked at me and grinned then said " they'll all be jealous. I'm married to a "younger woman". I'll treasure that moment always. At his Memorial I heard our sons telling funny tales of stuff they did with their father. And passing on stories he had told them.
Just know there are those of us out here really do treasure the wisdom and history passed on to us from you.

As a child, I always loved older people. The older, the better. I loved their stories because it was like time traveling. And show me an old picture and I was over the moon. I remember Mom telling me to go outside and play with kids my own age. I found them uninteresting. Now, my only regret is that I've forgotten most of the stories. Wish I had recorded them.

I think Doye said it best: "Many life lessons are learned only thru experience."

Many of us can think back and wish we had been more understanding when others were in pain, but we can't beat ourselves up over it. How could we possibly have understood the depth of spousal grief before now? Sam's passing has changed me as a person. Perhaps the lesson his death taught me was to be more compassionate toward others. I can only continue to try.

For the most part I like old people; like my dad's Uncle Lou. I even put up with his stories about how rough it was coming to America without a dime to his name. God love him! My dad is in his 50's so he has not got to that annoying point yet but it will happen and who knows that I may be the one to take care of him someday. No problem. I got his back.

Maggie

I have no children or grandchildren. If I did, they might be rolling their eyes when I start one of my stories. I find an increasing need to share my experiences. Maybe it's a function of age. I'm sure it is. And it's really hard not to have a partner to share stories with.

My husband loved to tell stories and some i heard more the once or twice or ten times. at the time I would nod and smile, now i treasure those stories. I am not nearly as good at sharing the past as he was! Patti