When Grandpa moved into our home, it gave us great joy. We had many sweet conversations. He shared his memories of growing up on his family farm, his experiences serving in the Navy, and tales of working as a U.S. postal worker in a small Iowa town. We spent quality time together doing the things he loved like watching Jeopardy, old westerns, and a few Vikings games. And, we were always up for a few rounds of cribbage. We made so many memories. I recall peeking in on him as he napped in that huge power recliner and seeing Buddy, our aging dog, lying at his feet. I wish Grandpa still lived with us today.
However, when Grandpa moved into our home, it took great effort.
- It required sacrifice. To allow him to live independently and comfortably, my husband and I moved upstairs so Grandpa could occupy our master bedroom and bath.
- It required effort. To make it feel like home, we converted our back office into his new sitting room and decorated it with his memories and favorite things.
- It required energy. To care for him, we managed his medications, laundered his clothing and sheets, prepped his meals, cleaned his room, and made many trips to doctors’ offices.
But then he was gone . . . and life slowly returned to normal, but we would forever be changed.
My children saw first-hand the priority we placed on caring for an aging adult, just as I had seen my mother care for her mother and older brother with Down Syndrome. We were reminded that every moment of someone’s life matters, regardless of their age or ability. We realized that God provided, daily, just what we needed to care for Grandpa. We saw how God had prepared us, and how He had also prepared Grandpa, for the time when we so closely shared our lives.
- God has prepared you too to bring an aging adult into your life. It may be your parents, a relative, or it may be someone you have yet to meet.
- God has also prepared aging adults to bless your family. He has equipped a generation of believers to come alongside you, ones full of wisdom, experience, with love and faith to share.
Two extraordinary families in our church found these two points to be true; although their ages are decades apart, they have developed a unique friendship. About seven years ago, Virg and Ed, a couple in their seventies, met Rhome and Vanessa, now a couple with two young daughters. Virg and Ed began to babysit Kaleah, who was just one year old at the time. Their relationship grew through sweet and often theological conversations, shared meals, and holiday celebrations. Today, they consider each other family. The Van Dycks now have adopted grandparents who live nearby and friends rich in life experience to guide them through the challenges ahead. As the Mendliks share their lives, they are renewed by their friendship with a young couple and adored by loving granddaughters. Each family has been strengthened in ways only possible through an inter-generational relationship.
Maybe God has a plan for you to connect with someone who is far from your age group. It may look like the strong bond described above or it may be quite different. The relationship can begin simply, and then grow into whatever God has planned as you follow His lead. Maybe there is an aging man who would love to receive hand-written notes from you in the mail. There is likely a widow who needs an occasional phone call or possibly a light bulb changed. You may notice a senior couple who sits alone and would love to chat with you before church each week. There are endless ideas.
As we connect as one body in Christ let us do so intentionally with those who may look less familiar, so we may all care for each other as 1 Corinthians 12:12, 25b reminds us to do. Look around and see what aging adult God may be planning to use to bless your family. They may not need a place in your home, but they may need a place in your heart.
