My mother is 55 years old and she started learning how to use computer three years ago. At first, I was willing to help her out. As days went by, she has struggled with computer concept so much that I got annoyed by her clueless questions. I had to repeat over and over the same thing everyday. I thought why she even bothered learning it when she had other things to worry. She said she didn’t want to be left behind of current trend. She wanted to learn and move forward with the rest of the world, she said. She was very determined and committed her time to learn computer. Now, she is still having a hard time but she can attach files, email her friends, download pictures to make her own documents, and surf the web to find information she needs for her work.
After reading about Mr. Zander’s visit to Jewish home for elderly, I would like to compliment how wise Mr. Zander is. The way he reacted to people in situations without taking things personally challenges me as a teacher and a person in general. His sincere and open mind unlocked the most hardened hearts in the least hopeful places. Sarah, a 83-year-old lady, was not even close to the oldest person in the center, seemed not enthusiastic about her own life and reluctant to change anything in her life. Even her regular seat in the speech hall never changes. When Mr. Zander offered a new seat for a new change, she said “Are you crazy? I am 83 years old” and she moved. She moved because she wanted change, any kind of change. She would have not bother even come to the speech if she did not want to change. The age number 83 struck her down to be hopeless but in side of her there were longing for hope and new challenges. The oldest person in the center was over 100. That means that Sarah has more than 20 years to live. Why can’t 83 year old person hopes for the future? Mr. Zander himself wasn’t sure until he visited the center that there were passion and hope in elderly people. Elderly people were touched by Mr. Zander’s sincere effort to come and share his stories of hopeful life.
Maybe I give up too early, I thought. I decide on possibilities of things as it appear realistic to me. However, I am wrong. I cannot decide the future. Every living person, no matter their age or talent, has desire to dream and potential to make that dream come true. What am I to decide what will happen tomorrow? What am I seeing in people? The reality I see is past and present but the reality is ongoing that I cannot see today.
Soyeon- I understand your story very well. My parents know how to check email and surf the web and create a word doc. Above that they ask for help. It is funny because my parents and both older than your mom. I find that my mom is very receptive to help and understands very well while my dad on the other hand is the one who always questions why do I have to do it this way and what about this that and the other. I seem to get very frustrated and tell him to let me do it.
I think I need to have more patience and look at my parents as my students. It does take time for people no matter what their age to understand and comprehend skills that are new to them. I guess I think my parents being adults should catch on more quickly but then I feel that I am setting us up for disaster because I am already wanting them to know more than they should or do.
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