I love the business of helping seniors. The diversity, background, experiences and colourful characters I come into contact with daily is a real treat. I am continuously reminded that I am receiving a valuable education every time I listen to the sage words of those who have gone through a lifetime of experiences.

In this exposure to life, many have found the time to practice the expression of gratitude as an effective antidote to troubles, insecurities, concerns and emotional distress. We, the younger generation, can learn much from such a simple virtue, and especially those who come into frequent contact with seniors.

I received a telephone call from a lady about 85 years old the other day who had been treated in an extremely discourteous way by a businessman. This individual not only caused the lady to miss a doctor’s appointment, but also used off-colour and derogatory language with no regard to her. From the tone of her voice, it sounded like she was left feeling helpless and somewhat victimized. Still, even though the help was carried out in a callous and inexcusable manner, she was appreciative of the service she received. What a contrast in generations.

Anyway, maybe this fellow was having a hard day, or he wasn’t feeling well. Perhaps he was cranky from working too many hours supporting his family. It happens to all of us. But perhaps his perspective on life is skewered because of a failure to understand what the older generation has endured.

For example: question them and you will find an amazing array of experiences, revealing authentic character. You might be talking to a frail octogenarian who never complains because she learned in "Auschwitz" what unspeakable suffering is. Or the long retired Colonel, who as a young officer had won a medal of valour for his part in an offensive into enemy territory over a Pacific Island.
What about the gentleman who served with Merrill's Marauders, the survivor of the Bataan Death March, or the soldier who rushed the beach at Dieppe? We have many veterans living in the South Okanagan who deserve our gratitude.

Further, there are those who have sacrificed a lifetime building up businesses which are the framework for what we have, see and enjoy today. Inventors, philosophers, scientists, thinkers, parents – all were part of a past which has shaped our present.

I will argue that we, who have the privilege of serving the older generation, should be grateful - every single day. We have an obligation to the elderly, not merely because of benefits received but because of the many sacrifices made on our part above the call of duty. The things they did for us and everyone else are priceless.

Author Melodie Beattie once said: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

So in advice to the businessman, I would remind him that we are losing an incredible generation, and perhaps we don’t know what we are losing. The things done for us are not a matter of course, but originate in a will for the good directed at us. We should all take note and remember with the liberal use of the most important words in the world: Thank you