kira cassidy

intro’d to Kira via her tedxbozeman may 2016 – Aging in the wild: lessons from animals about the value of growing old – shared by rr

elderly people aren’t valued by their own societies.. societies they helped cultivate, raise, teach.. animals do this much better than we do.. ie: the grey wolf

a wolf pack is truly a family

pack more likely to win if just one in their pack is old… even when they’re outnumbered..

why does just one old wolf make a diff…. they bring experience and leadership.. only engaging when likely to win..

knowledge repositories – grandmothers

african elephants.. another species led by long term matriarchs.. more likely to find water and hold their ground..

death of elders can send rest of herd into upheaval.. social structure.. survival.. reproduction for years..

animals like elephants, killer whales, wolves.. somehow understand value of elders..

now a days.. an entirely new attitude toward elderly.. ie: internet/books/daycares.. replace elderly.. career success as ultimate in person’s identity

as a culture.. we’ve forgotten what animals have known all along.. the oldest among us shouldn’t be pushed aside.. ignored.. humored.. retirement in western world has become synonomous with human being ceasing to be of value

do like wolves.. back to an attitude of reverence.. for the most elderly among us.. listen to what each other has to say… recognize life saga that shaped that person… every single person and animal is valuable.. every single day..

get back on track with our own.. and each other…