One of the many reasons I love Hawaii is the strong commitment to family. At least half the houses on my block have multiple generations sharing the same house. That’s partially due to the extremely high cost of living, but mostly because there is a concern for family and a respect for the elderly here that is unmatched anywhere else in America.
That’s why I was encouraged to see that Barack Obama hasn’t lost his island roots. The Times says:
It’s official: Marian Robinson, the 71-year-old mother-in-law of President-elect Barack Obama, will be moving into the White House, transition officials said on Friday.
I’m too lazy to confirm it on Google, but it’s the only parent-of-a-president I know of who’s moved into the White House with their kids and grandkids. And I think it’s great.
While I was growing up, we had my 90-something great-grandfather living with us. His mind had severely deteriorated by the time he moved into our house, but I remember the genuine love he continually expressed. I remember his warm smile and, during the short spurts when his mind came back, his playfully mischievous spirit. I remember how much he read his Bible, and how little he watched TV (professional wrestling was his only weakness. Both of us loved Hulk Hogan).
The experience taught me at an important age (junior high) that the the old and wrinkled have a lot more to offer than the new and trendy.
Older people are here to remind us that experience brings wisdom. And Job says that this truth should lead us to trust God, the One who inhabits eternity, as our ultimate source of wisdom:
Wisdom is with the aged,
and understanding in length of days.
With God are wisdom and might;
he has counsel and understanding.
(Job 12:12-13)