My grandfather is 94 years old, and acts 60. He has unbelievably good health and an active lifestyle. My grandmother is almost as active at 88. They live in It, Mississippi. Yes, It. That’s the name of the community just off Interstate 55 south between Gallman and Wesson, Mississippi. There is a sign proclaiming, “This is It.” I have always wanted a second sign not far down the road reading “That was It.”
Every Thursday, my grandfather drives about 20 miles to Wal-Mart in Hazelhurst. That is senior adult day, and he can get free coffee. He doesn’t miss that day at Wal-Mart. When I envision my grandfather at Wal- Mart, I see him making sure everyone knows he’s in the building. After all, when you’re 94, you want everyone to know you’re still alive.
When I asked my grandfather why he drives the 40-mile round trip for a free cup of coffee, he says, “Well, I like the free coffee, and I also like the way the clerks hug on me.”
Once when my grandfather went to Wal-Mart, it just happened to be his birthday. When he entered the door, he found the clerks had thrown him a birthday party — cake, candles, balloons, ice cream and a newspaper photographer were all there. (Of course, there was free coffee, also.) Wal-Mart knows my grandfather, and they know his name and when his birthday is.
Now it is very interesting that my grandfather does not go to church. He is a Christian, and my grandmother doesn’t miss church. But my grandfather just doesn’t go. And I think I know why. At Wal-Mart he gets what he doesn’t get at church. The ingredients he misses at church? Hugs, people knowing his name, birthday parties, a sense of belonging and being appreciated.
You see, it doesn’t matter if you are 4 or 94, you like this type of attention. Age is not the issue. The issue is feeling like you belong and that you are a part of what’s going on. If my grandfather were in your church, would he get the Wal-Mart reception?
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Marler is field services planning and projects coordinator in the field services section of the Baptist Sunday School Board’s ministry and leadership development department. Copyright (c) 1996 Baptist Press