Today I was reminiscing about the time I have spent in the hospital. I made a crazy realization. I have learned more about life from the people I have encountered than I ever learned at any type of school. I come across such a wide range of people. I hear amazing stories about from people's history, and I learn many things about our present era. I have friends that vary in ages from 94 to 6 years. Each one of them has taught me something new. My elderly friends love to talk about "the good ole days", and my younger friends teach me so much about what's going on in the world today. They also help me to live my life with a more carefree attitude, and with a childlike innocence.
Unfortunately I didn't get to spend much time with my grandparents before they passed away. I never knew my mom's dad, or my dad's mom. My dad's dad passed away when I was a child. I got to spend the most time with my mom's mom, but she left far this Earth far too soon. I had incredible connections with the grandpa and grandma that I did know. I always loved listening to their stories of when they were growing up. It was a completely different lifestyle for them compared to how I grew up. I learned so much about our country's history than I ever could have in school.
There are a group of men who often have treatments the same time that I do. I am so excited to see them every time they are at the hospital. They enjoy swapping war stories, and childhood memories. They talk about those times with such passion. It is a delight to listen to. I could sit with them all day. They reminisce about how different things were back then, and laugh about experiences they had during their youth, as well as, during their middle age. I sit with them in awe of their stories and ask all kinds of questions about the past. Chatting with them is so much fun, not to mention informative.
The comment I continually get from the elderly patients is that I have an "old soul". They tell me about how their grandchildren could care less about hearing about their pasts. They are too wrapped up in whatever they are doing, whether it is on their phones, or computers. They don't take the time to listen to what they have to say. I am completely different. I don't even have my devices out when I'm spending time with my friends. I want them to know that they have my full attention at all times. Like I said, I enjoy listening to the stories so much that I don't want to be distracted.
It's not only my fellow elderly patients that tell me I have an "old soul". My former boss used to tell me that all of the time. Many of my nurses and doctors tell me the same thing. They often tell me that I look like a 16 year old girl, but when I start talking I turn into an 80 year old woman. I can't help but laugh when I hear that. First, I don't think I look I am 16 years old, and second, I don't realize that I sound so old. I think it is a result of the strange life I have been living the past 10 years. I haven't lived a normal life. I am around more elderly people than younger people. When I am around younger people, they are usually very young. In that situation I take on a parent type roll. I am rarely around people the same age as me.
I feel so fortunate to be able to spend so much time around such enlightening company. I feel that it is easier from people of my generation to get wrapped up in technology and not enjoy the simple things in life. We grew up in such a booming technology era. Using these things come second nature to us. I am glad that I can step away from it all for a while each day. I love the connections I make with my friends and family each day. I don't think I would appreciate the people in my life, or the day-to-day experiences I encounter if I always stayed "connected" to my technological devices.
I used to think it was weird how many people told me that I have an "old soul". I now view it as the most wonderful compliment I could ever receive. I wouldn't want to have any other type of soul!
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