The Elders remaining in the Renaissance Pointe Neighborhood

I grew up in the Hanna-Creighton Neighborhood. I went to Hanna School, James H. Smart and Weisser Park. By the time, I reached high school, Central High School was no longer an option for me, I ended up at South Side. Throughout the years of my adulthood, I tried to get away from the neighborhood.

Until, one day a program brought me back to the neighborhood. I can tell you I was surprised by some of the changes. And that these changes were acceptable to some of those who had remained behind in the old neighborhood. But, because the neighborhood had changed did not mean everyone agreed with the changes.

So today while out in the old neighborhood, I was glad to run into one of the elder. The elder felt that he or she had grown old. The elder felt that the over assessment of his or her home, the amount of work to maintain the home, and the rising cost of gas and light meant it was time to move on. Moving on meant going into a senior apartment complex, the program could offer six months of rental assistance and the cost of his or her home. The elder felt they did not want his or her home, they were more interested in his or her lot.

How you doing, he or she said. When you heard these words from the elder, you know they really want to know. But, more important it meant you needed to stop and spend a moment to listen to the wisdom that the elder was willing to share. To remind them that we are never too old to listen to the elder.