Through my recent experiences, I have come to believe in the value of elderly people. I have worked at ice cream places, pools, babysat at homes, and done many other things; none that compare to the job I have now. I currently work at a retirement community with two hundred plus residents. Many of whom were initially just acquaintances. However over many months of assisting them, I have grown very close to them. Before this too, I had always thought of a job as simply a means of making money. In my previous jobs, I would walk out the doors and leave everything behind until the next work day. Working with the elderly people, though, changed my entire outlook on not only jobs, but how I have come to view the elderly and my life as well.

For most kids I know in high school, helping elderly people is completely out of the question. By not having the experiences I've had, they just don't realize though how amazing old people truly are. Every night at dinner, their happy and smiling faces every night at dinner can turn someone's day around full circle. It has happened to me repeatedly. One can walk through the dining room hearing laughter over a funny joke or even about their new “yellow corvette,” a nickname for their wheelchair. The residents appreciate everything and always give the benefit of the doubt. They are genuinely interested in everything one says. Trying to listen as closely as they can to each word, even though they probably won't remember every detail. I also can't begin to explain how much joy they find in just going out to dinner with a family member or merely playing bingo. They enjoy the smallest and littlest things in life that most of us would never take the time or even consider doing. Watching the residents walk their much beloved dogs or tend to their garden just makes me speechless. In today's society, everything is full speed without a minute to spare. Watching and caring for these special people makes me realize how short life really is. One should treasure every single thing. The elders have learned that they have to do that; knowing their time is limited. Many of their friends and spouses are now gone.

People are always trying to look for things to satisfy their never-ending want for happiness. Through this work experience, I firmly believe that if we all thought like this and would value every circumstance, we would be much happier. I have learned so much from the elderly in that it is just taking time everyday to appreciate the tasks, events, and people that one encounters, no matter how small.

  I can see in the seniors the joy and spark that makes them still get up everyday, even after 80 years. Their wisdom and kind words are always flowing through the building like a massive wave. I would never have gained the appreciation for elders or the outlook on life that I now hold without these wonderful people. The residents have taught me so many lessons and most don't understand the impact they have had on me. If I was still scooping ice cream or picking up trash around the pool, I would never have become the person I am today. This retirement community and its amazing residents have given me so much more than a weekly paycheck.