Skip to main content

Connecting Generations...It's not about technology

By Stephen C. Schultz


“Mom!...Mom!...Mom!”,  she exclaimed as she burst in the room. Rough around the edges and worn from age, the door stuck for just a moment when she turned the knob and hit it with her shoulder at the same time. With an unbridled motion, she was through the door. The glass pane rattled and the faux wood blinds swayed back and forth as she caught the inside edge with a left handed back-swing and sent the door whistling to its closed position.



Past the old wood stove and into the kitchen, she kept yelling, “Mom!...Mom!”.  

 While I’m not her mom, but her dad, I finally said,

“What is it hon? What’s the matter?”

She turned and said with a heavy breath,

“It was so cool! We sang Over the Rainbow and Puff The Magic Dragon with them!”

With her heart rate still up and short rapid bursts of breathing, she continued,

“We even painted their nails! It was so fun…but so sad. They were so happy to see us. One lady even played the ukulele…she was so talented!”

Then my daughter Emma, all of 13 years old, thoughtfully said in a somber voice,

“It’s hard for me to think that we all end up like that…forgetting stuff, lying in bed watching TV all day.”

This was the second time that my daughter has gone to the local nursing home with her friend from across the street. They go as a part of a church youth group to sing and share time with the senior generation. 

As her father, it has been interesting to watch her demonstrate sincere compassion and empathy for those who have contributed so much in an earlier time. I find it ironic that our most “connected” generation of all time is conveniently “disconnected” from its heritage.

It did my heart good to see my daughter and her friend selflessly attending to the very subtle needs of an older generation. To her, it was a fun night singing songs and painting finger nails with “Old People”. She probably isn't aware of it, but I see the development of a caring, compassionate teen that recognizes there is value in life beyond the latest clothing styles and technology.


Here are a couple of other posts that include my daughter. One is when she decided to sneak out of the house and the other is about her interactions with a homeless man in San Diego, California. You can check them out here and here.
Labels:

Comments

Blaine Foster said…
Thank you for beinng you
July 31, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Young Boy and the Rattlesnake

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors note: This is a story used in a Wilderness Treatment Program for Young Adults . Many come to this program having struggled with substance abuse and interacting with unsavory friends.)   Many years ago there was a young Native American who lived in the very land you are residing in. He decided to seek wisdom by journeying to the top of Indian Peak. As he approached the base of the mountain he came across a rattlesnake that slithered beside him. The snake coiled as if to strike and the young boy moved back quickly in fear of being struck by the snake’s deadly venom. At that instant the snake spoke to the boy saying, “Don’t be afraid of me, I mean you no harm. I come to you to ask a favor. I see that you are about to traverse to the top of Indian Peak and was hoping that you may be willing to place me in your satchel so that I don’t have to make the long journey alone.” The young boy surprised by the snake’s request quickly re...
3 comments
Read more

Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Free Family Resources

 By Stephen C. Schultz Video Games, Anxiety and ADHD - Is there a common theme? Aloft Transitions Home for Young Adults This is simply a complimentary resource guide for parents of teens and young adults who struggle with ADHD, Anxiety and Gaming. ADHD:   • Russell Barkley,  Taking Charge of ADHD • Hallowell & Ratey,  Delivered from Distraction • Harvey Parker,  The ADD Hyperactivity Workbook for Parents, Teachers, & Kids • Bradley & Giedd,  Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your  Mind  • Gurian, Michael,  The Minds of Boys Saving Our Sons from Falling Behind in School and  Life, 2005. • Hanna, Mohab,  Making the Connection: A Parents’ Guide to Medication in AD/HD • www.CHADD.org  (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) • www.help4adhd.org • www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics) • www.aacap.org (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) Young Adu...
15 comments
Read more

Oxbow Academy – Unintended Consequences

By Stephen C. Schultz (Editors Note: This post started as an email I sent to a couple of Educational Consultants . It was the culmination of several conversations. I think there is some genuinely good information here that the general public, clinicians and allied health professionals could benefit from.) As helping professionals, we often find ourselves in teaching opportunities. We consult with clients, students, families and even others in our profession. The phrase, “Strength in the Struggle” is prominent at Discovery Ranch (A sister treatment program to Oxbow Academy ). Clinton Dorny, the Executive Director, mentioned to me the other day that they often tell parents, “If your child isn't struggling here at Discovery Ranch, then we're not doing our job.” Much of what we do as treatment programs and the value you provide as a therapist, counselor, coach and educational consultant is to assist families in managing “Unintended Consequences”. There is...
2 comments
Read more