Healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death. ~ Erik H. Erikson

I may be on an “elder” kick.  In yesterday’s post I was pondering amazement at a beautiful Chickasaw elder in Oklahoma who was described by my father as a “National Treasure.”  I agree.

This morning, I read a story about a spunky elder…not in Oklahoma, but in Alaska.  Her story is quite intriguing, but the point I came to after I read it was this:  Through the battle she encountered, she still had the good sense to understand the perspective of the moose she was swatting with a shovel.  

You don’t often read about acknowledgement and understanding during a battle – especially one where someone’s life could be on the line.

I’m grateful this morning for our elders.  The elders I know are mostly in Oklahoma.  Some have witnessed the U.S. being in five or more wars.  They have stories of living with nothing, stories of overcoming challenges, and a history for our children and grandchildren that is far more valuable than the iPhones they carry.  Rather, that history provides them with the knowledge and the hope that THEY can survive, that THEY can overcome, and THEY can accept challenges and come out on the other side, a better person.

I’m going to end this short post this morning by laying down a challenge to you.  Take a little time to connect with the elders in your life if you haven’t in a while.  They are our teachers for the future, and The World is our homework from those beautiful lessons.

[kelly]

This article copied directly from January 24th, 2012 – USA Today

An 85-year-old Alaska woman used a shovel to beat back a moose that had stomped her 82-year-old husband and then charged her, the Anchorage Daily News reports from The Last Frontier.

George Murphy, a well-known bush pilot, suffered seven broken ribs and gashes to his head and left leg. His wife, Dorothea Taylor, was unhurt in the confrontation Friday morning as they exercised their two golden retrievers at the Willow Airport.

“He was way off. Jeez, he spotted me and he started to come right after me,” Murphy said Sunday from his hospital bed (video). “So I was trying to get to the truck. But I didn’t make it.”

With no trees or other protection, Murphy dove into the deep snow. “He started to stomp. Then he turned around and stomped again. And there was nothing I could do. I was afraid he was going to kill me.” Continue reading Thanking Our Elders for Spunk and Courage →