“You don’t need to worry about me,” Pat said, “I can take care of myself.” As I hoisted my carry-on luggage up in the overhead bin of the plane, I hoped that I had not offended Pat for her offer to help me. She is only trying to be helpful because she believes that as a 73-year old woman, I should be incapable to picking up so much weight. It is almost a tradition that when people see grey hair they think we need help with all manner of activities.
I know that I should go with the flow and accept the help, but then stereotypes and ageist beliefs aren’t changed unless we challenge them and show them to be wrong when it is assumed that one is fragile simply do to their age. I repeated my thanks to Pat, but also told her that it’s important that I continue to things for myself for as long as I can, so that I remain vital in my own eyes and in other peoples’ eyes.
Written for Fandango’s Story Starter #181. The prompt is in bold print. Also used the prompts from the Three Things Challenge #M918 from Pensitivity 101: hoist, flow, and carry. The Ragtag prompt is Tradition.
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Thanks for including the 3TC Regina. Hope you have a lovely day on the 25th.
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Just because we have gray hair and wrinkles doesn’t mean we have to depend upon others to help us make it through the day. At the same time, we need to understand and appreciate that the offers to assist stem from kindness and love.
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I like the fact that my grey hair gives me priority when I’m outside my house.
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I understand what you mean by staying vital. That is one of my goals as well. If we stay active and keep our bodies moving (as long as able), we can maintain a vibrant life. If ailments knock on our door, we still do our best to maintain an active mind and prayer life. At this end of year, I’m grateful to God for the health He’s given me, and hopefully I can maintain it and use it to help those who have a different path in life.
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