When you are with someone smarter than you..be quiet and listen!
Recently I had the honor and pleasure of spending time with my friend’s bonus dad, Mr. Jim, who needed some companion care while his sweet wife enjoyed some time out and about. Mr. Jim is 94 years young with a spirit bursting with such incredible contagious energy! My friend and I volunteered to serve in caring for Mr. Jim but we were the ones left feeling cared for and better people for having spent time with this amazing man! We sat in awe of this happy, young at heart, full of life, fun, positive, wise, caring, introspective and insightful man for almost four hours as he told story after story of the events in his life. From his childhood, to his time in the war, his professional journey, how he met and married his beautiful love, Sue, his love for his family especially his triplet grandchildren whom he affectionately calls “his babies”, he recounted every story with such detail we felt were right along side him through it all. His physical body may be failing but his mind is still sharp as a tack and he welcomed the opportunity to have new people to share his life events with. I will take the lessons I learned from Mr. Jim, a self proclaimed “dummy” with an 8th grade education, and apply them for the rest of my life with a smile on my face and love in my heart for my new friend. Here is some of what I learned from the very wise Mr. Jim:
Education does not determine intelligence.
Don’t talk about anyone. You don’t know what their life was like.
Meet and talk with someone new as often as you can.
Take and make time to sit with people and be present.
You never have to go out of your way to love people. There are always opportunities right in front of you.
Children are the greatest gifts. Not just your own children, all children.
Don’t wait until you have the right education and skills for the job. Take a risk! Go for it!
Be kind. Love everyone. Visit people you are thinking about. Don’t wait.
SERVE others. Be a GIVER!
Stay active.
When you are with someone who is smarter than you, be quiet and listen!
No one likes a know it all. Don’t be one!
Don’t look at someone who is 94 as if their life is ending. They are still living and learning!
Thank God every chance you get for the life He has given you!
There is always someone who has it worse.
Sometimes you can trust animals more than people.
Having a pet keeps you young.
Don’t wait. Say what you need to and tell people how you feel about them. You never know which breath will be your last.
The most important things in life are family, friends and laughter.
Laughing keeps you young. The world needs more laughter.
Cap off your night with a Manhattan. “It will calm your heart down and help you rest.”
Thank you SO much Mr. Jim for spending time with us and sharing your huge heart! Cheers!