By Lois Jasmer, Director of Business Development at Concierge Care Advisors
This week I was honored with the opportunity to accompany some very special seniors to a Mariners game. The experience reminded me just how true the saying “you can’t judge a book by its cover” really is. Most young folks and even a lot of elderly perceive seniors as being old and feeble and at the end of their lives. I used to love it when an 82 year old would come to my senior community and say “these people are all too old!” In reality most were younger than the one making the statement.
While at the Mariners game, seeing more than two thousand seniors (the leading edge of the coming Silver Tsunami) cheering on the Mariners with all the gusto of a twenty five year-old, I experienced hope for my own Golden years. I was there because Concierge Care Advisors blessed nine seniors with tickets to the game for both the senior and an escort. As a company, the phrase “True to the Blue” is something we see all the time. Many seniors are very blue. Working with seniors every day, we see just how isolated and depressed the elderly can become when they don’t get out and enjoy life. For some, it is due to physically challenges, and others may be financially challenged; either way, it contributes to their isolation and inability to socialize, which of course often leads to depression.
During the Mariners game I was heartened to witness how much life still flows thru the veins of seniors, even when you don’t think it’s possible. I watched as a little ninety three year-old lady cracked open and nibbled on sunflower seeds. Then, there were the two little ladies from a Shag community, digging into a container of red vines like they were back in the junior high bleachers of a pony league baseball game, watching their crushes play. I shared a home run with a blind man whom could only hear the crowd yelling and smell the hot dogs, but he displayed a smile as big as the curve of the outfield and took it all in. And then there was the comedian, who regaled anyone within ear shot with jokes about Ichiro and being a peanut salesman. He would delight in standing up to dance a jig every time the music came on in between innings. How does this not bring joy to your heart?
These seniors and the other two thousand attending that day had stories. Not just of watching Ken Griffey Jr (who would be back in my day), But the greats, like Mickey Mantle and Jackie Robinson. One had a best friend who actually caught a World Series Home Run ball by Mickey Mantle! These senior were brought back to life for at least a few hours. They helped me remember not only the days of watching baseball at Moshier Field, but reminded me that they too were once like me, active and full of life. Not only do we all need to continue to live life, but consider going out and bringing the game to those who are no longer suiting up. Because then we are being “True to the Blue”.
