Patrick
Kennedy
 

January
Find an Ear to Bend


Find a buddy, a pal, a friend, someone to talk to, play with, to keep from being lonely, and someone to tell your troubles to … when you cry ‘Help!’ They are there, it can be another guy for guys, another gal for gals, but seniors have a lot of experience so mixing the sexes doesn’t complicate things. Having an ear to bend in troubles times is the key objective.

A buddy is defined as a ‘companion, a partner, a close friend, or used to address someone you don’t know’ … this last one is not the definition we are looking for. A friend is defined as ‘a person who you like and enjoy being with, a person who helps or supports someone or something,’ this is what we are looking for as an ear to bend in troubled or lonely times. “Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend,” said the writer/philosopher Albert Camus. That’s what most seniors are looking for.

Sometimes loneliness is a flashing negative to retired seniors, what once was, is not there anymore. The old allies from the workplace aren’t there any longer, and the family members, if there are any, have probably moved to other parts of the planet .Cooking food for one, going to movies alone, and talking to the walls with no answers coming back, it gets pretty old after a while. “What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously, but the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured,” said Kurt Vonnegut, and this same thought can be aimed at seniors. There are groups and communities out there that can solve this seclusion sensation, the plan is to find one and join in.

These groups are all over town and one shouldn’t be limited to those listed in the phone book or advertised on TV. There are small and more personal groups that congregate everywhere and come in many forms and features and qualifications: churches, bars, and fraternity clubs like the Elks, Eagles, Shriners, and the Knights of Columbus, bridge clubs, golf clubs (woods and irons accepted) and weekly bingo and poker games. The list goes on and the choices are there to be had and enjoyed.

Getting into a group is probably the easiest part. Being part of the group is a little harder. The key here is becoming part of the conversations. “My idea of good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company,” said Jane Austen. And part of conversation is listening, opening your ears and mind to those around you, to what the others are saying in that good company, and trying to be a significant part of it. If you are a part of that group then it is easier to exchange ideas and maybe find a few ears to bend about your troubles and maybe some good advice will bounce back. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” Margaret Mead, and that world can be your world of problems if you are listening to the mouth on that bent ear.

©2014, Patrick Kennedy

*    *    *

Man arrives as a novice at each age of his life. - Nicolas Chamfort

Patrick M. Kennedy (P Manvel Kennedy) has been a professional writer, editor, and graphic artist for over 30 years. He is the author of three books: More Fun with Retirement: A coffee break for seniors, How to Have Fun with Retirement, and Being a Senior Citizen: You rnew phase of life with many questions looking for answers. and his latest book: More Fun with Retirement: A coffee break for seniors. He currently works from Boise, Idaho. In the past he has worked from Seattle, Indianapolis, and Las Vegas. He keeps busy because he knows it is important when writing or editing any material with a particular objective in mind, for either personal use or business goals, to present ideas with quality, clarity and accuracy. He can do that, and he does most of it himself, but he occasionally must call upon qualified associates for assistance.

"My Resume shows me as an experienced professional writer and editor who specializes in the English language. With years of professional experience in the writing/editing/graphics field, I offer quality services to both individual and business clients, with prompt and accurate solutions designed to meet their needs, and online editing services and writing services for easy and quick results. www.abetterword.com



Contact Us | Disclaimer | Privacy Statement
Menstuff® Directory
Menstuff® is a registered trademark of Gordon Clay
©1996-2023, Gordon Clay