Things have changed in America over the past century. With today’s technology and medical advancements, people are living nearly twice as long as they did in 1900. This is remarkable in so many ways, but what benefits us all the most is the ability to learn history and life lessons with a simple conversation.
Things have changed in America over the past century. With today’s technology and medical advancements, people are living nearly twice as long as they did in 1900. This is remarkable in so many ways, but what benefits us all the most is the ability to learn history and life lessons with a simple conversation.
My immediate family ranges from age 2 to 91 and we are involved with each other regardless of age. Though we all have our own lives, when together we find ways to do things as a whole family. Playing UNO around the table is one thing we all do together, even my 2-year-old grandson. He is my favorite player because he calls out the colors and numbers of the lucky player that has him in their lap. It’s cheating, but nothing makes me laugh more when I ask him to tell me what colors or numbers he sees. It is all family fun.
This is the way I grew up in a large family and multiple generations interacting together. Benefits of having living history at your kitchen table is priceless, and for older generations, they love the loud noise of kids running amuck around the house. In our home, children never pitter-patter.
But not all kids are fortunate to have the older generation around them to influence them, teach them history with personal stories or get advice on how to deal with a problem in life. And in many homes with a mix of young and old, a generation gap blocks the ability to bring the younger and older generations together. It is a sad truth that I honestly just do not understand.
Over the weekend I had the chance to meet community members that do exactly that, work with young children to get them involved with the older generation.
Dropping in at La Mesa’s 8th Annual East County Intergenerational Games at La Mesa Middle School, it was one of those events that invigorated and inspired me. People of all ages from the community showed up to participate and many of the 50 years and older athletes, return year after year to play with children.
You could feel the excitement in the auditorium. Listening to David Brown, Paralympic track athlete, and how he found the sport of running at the age of 8 after becoming blind, was nothing short of inspiring. A young man himself, turning 21 shortly, he spoke of his professional victories from the 2012 London Paralympic Games and 2013 U.S. and world championship medals, breaking several records, including his own. But his message was more on personal victory and conveyed it so well to the kids there. Always have a goal and do everything in your power to achieve it. Then set another goal and keep on running.
Pairing of the adults with children was random by line up and then the fun began. Pairs of two to four would race from event to event, encouraging each other and watching it was as fun as the activities. Not knowing each other, I watched real conversations going on, adult and children running hand in hand from event to event and the slew of volunteers that made this event happen pumped up the enthusiasm at each competition.
Inside they played health and nutrition trivia. Outside they played t-ball, horseshoes, Frisbee toss and street hockey. Though non-competitive, the competition for who had the most fun was fierce. And it could be seen on all of the smiling faces.
So many people helped put this event together. The city of La Mesa, the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, the County of San Diego Aging & Independence Services and the many other single and organized partners have a program, works. It was undeniable in watching and next year hope to see many more participating to bring generations together. Nothing but good can come from this type of event, for all who participate, or in my case absorb.
