Rees' Pieces: Take lessons from the elders in your life

(Originally published February 2007)

“The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.”
— Andy Rooney

This week, as part of our year-long series, “The new age: Living longer in Mid-Michigan,” each of our 12 newspapers has profiled a different senior citizen — ordinary people touching our communities in big and small ways, proving that age really is inconsequential. I could not help but reflect on the elders who have made a difference in my life while I was growing up. These are people who have had a hand in shaping and molding me into the person I am today.

Leo Barron – Leo was my next door neighbor up until I moved away in the fifth grade. He seemed ancient to me. Leo taught me the importance of imagination. Despite failing eyesight, his zeal for life was infectious. He loved kids. He once organized a neighborhood circus made up of my siblings and other neighborhood kids, acting as the ringmaster. We didn’t care that the tightrope never actually left the ground or that our lion was actually my dog, Black Beauty. He had a way of making us forget these things. He later taught me gambling games. But I digress...

Mrs. Moye - My kindergarten teacher. She was a good teacher, yes, but in my 5-year-old eyes, she was evil personified. But we must find redeeming qualities in everyone, so I will say this: She taught me the value of discipline ... by placing me under her desk whenever I would act up. Which was often.

Lester Norton - Lester was a retired math teacher who attended my church. He took the time and effort to tutor me in the fine art of algebra. It was obvious that I was connecting with the subject as easily as I would with Hebrew, but Lester never gave up on me though he had plenty of opportunities. It was far from flying colors, but I passed. Thank you, Lester!

Grandma and Grandpa Dyer - My grandparents — the late Frank and Janet Dyer — were instrumental in stoking my creativity. I remember while growing up, they would talk us grandkids into burying pieces of macaroni into the ground, insisting “macaroni trees” would spring up. The following week, we would excitedly rush into their backyard to see the final product.

“That darn Grandpa, he must’ve mowed over them again,” Grandma said.

Due to her recent passing, my Grandma Dyer has especially been at the forefront of my thoughts lately. We hear all the time about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. She was one of those people. In February of the year 2000, my grandmother had to have her legs amputated. During a long and painful rehab, she made a vow: “I will walk into church next year on Easter Sunday.” Doctors were skeptical. A 70-year-old double amputee walking? Unlikely. She was fitted with artificial legs. She faced a long and painful rehab. But sure enough, on Easter Sunday, 2001, she walked into the sanctuary of Pennway Church of God. Amazingly, during the entire ordeal and even after losing my grandfather to a heart attack, I never heard her complain once. She is one of the most upbeat people I had ever known.

Grandma and Grandpa Rees - My grandfather, Harrison Rees, lives by the mantra, “Stay happy,” which he repeats often in written correspondences and in his speech. I am convinced that doing so means remaining rooted in love. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Loving one another? He and my grandmother, Lorraine, have been living that example for years. And it endures in their children. As a result, they have created a family dynamic that I look forward to being a part of year in and year out. No small feat.

Great Grandma Irene – She’s pushing 100, yet she is still spry as ever. She still lives at home by herself. She diligently puts work into her garden every day. Simply put, she is inspiring. Her patience and commitment day in and day out is something worth emulating — both professionally and socially.

As we continue our series, it is my hope that you take the time to consider people in your own life. Thank someone this week.