Cross Generational Learning

When I was in 2nd grade I not only knew who I was and who my friends were but who I was going to be. In 6th grade I was quite sure(if not overly confident) in whom I was and would become. Now after my freshman year of college I am not sure of who I am, who I will become or who my friends are. I say this with perhaps some exaggeration and certainly little depth, because I have accumulated many pieces of the puzzle . Despite this, I have come to conclusion that what assisted me most in this has been my fortunate opportunity to meet so many interesting and wonderful people. Certainly many others, if not all, can say this yet I feel that few would say the majority of influential people in their life were old enough to be their grandparents. I mention this to emphasize what I see to be a rather neglected aspect of our lives.

What I speak of is cross-generational learning, and while my main experience is with those much older than my self I would argue that it is clearly bi-directional. It is my experience that the more important aspect was not the knowledge imparted from my elderly friends of a time far away but the reflections I later had and the self-knowledge gained. Clearly this is a skill that anyone should improve and certainly isn't limited to those outside ones age group yet it appears to me, at least from considering the world of an adolescent or young adult, that the complexity of our social interactions blind us from seeing those within our own age group as, well simply put, without a threat. It is clear that as we age and leave the commonalities of school we are prone to interact with those outside our age group or generation, most clearly within work; however it becomes obvious that even when freed from our previous inhibitions, we replace them with perhaps even more robust conventions such as work place etiquette and familial etiquette or obligation.

The feasibility of benefits from such a thing may now have become less apparent, if not seriously less capable of happening; however if anything has become clear it is that one must "Let Go". For instance, in 9th grade my English teacher Mrs. Ann Moller of Conval HS, replaced our traditional final with a unique project. The project required students to seek out people within the community and commend them for their service and more generally, "Leaving the wood pile higher.", hence it became known as the "Woodpile Project". I had no clue as to whom I should choose, and so I consulted Mrs. Moller and she suggested a local hero, Roland "Beaver" Jutras. After some arrangements we met for the first time at the Peterborough Town Library. I was quite tentative at first, not knowing quite how to approach him, yet I began quite formally addressing him as Mr. Jutras and acting with the respect and courtesy I felt elders should receive, yet he was quick to laugh and tell me to just call him "Beaver". As the report continued I got to know both him and his family very well and worked perhaps the hardest I ever had on paper, yet when it came time to present it seemed that ordeal was quite effortless and without a doubt worth it. We remained great friends until he moved closer to his daughters up north and as I got entangled in the complexities of college preparation we lost contact (as an aside , I haven't been able to locate him and I would be very thankful if anyone happens to have his contact info).

I came to meet many others but two that touched my heart the most perhaps the briefest. Louise O'Sullivan was a neighbor of mine, I began helping her around her house after my parents suggested. I did various tasks that she could do no longer and chatted happily when I was around. Yet it was brief and she passed away, and for the first time in my life I knew the loss that accompanies death. Shortly thereafter my parents had a mutual teacher of theirs from their high school come help me to learn German. Bianca Bastug was a woman of profound intellect and compassion; she was a traveler of the world and multilingual, but most importantly a great teacher. She gave me a love for languages and even began to tutor me in Russian, yet again the cruel hand of fate struck and Bianca passed away.

I now, and have for the past year and half, worked at the Bond Wellness Center, Monadnock Community Hospital's gym and rehabilitation clinic. In my time there I have come to know many people and with the exception of a select few the majority are elderly. Over time coming into work has lost the work aspect, because I have the company of many friends and acquaintances and ever-present opportunity to meet more people and learn more.

With that said, I would implore all those to read to explore the opportunities given by cross-generational learning. Whether it is learning your family history from your grandparents or assisting in various "Big Brother/Sister" groups and relearning the fun of simple board games at the end of the day you should consider attempting to gain the insight and wisdom that we all too often neglect for lack of seeing both ourselves and those around us as people; sharing all the human qualities and experiences we at times think we believe that we suffer with alone.