In order to have an abundant harvest many things must happen:

    A fertile seed must be planted in nutrient rich soil.
    The seed must receive sufficient rainfall and sunlight.
    The seed must be protected from weeds and disease.
    The seed must have time to mature.

In early spring, if farmers want a beneficial and plentiful cornfield, they plant valued seeds in fertile soil and then allow nature to work her miracle.  Soon tender green shoots can be seen peeking out of the dark rich earth.  Before long a beautiful cornfield emerges and once small, tender shoots are now strong, tall stalks reaching for the sky.  These more mature plants can withstand weather that would cripple the more sprightly and youthful shoots, yet they are not quite ready to feed the world.  As time goes by the beautiful emerald stalks will wither and turn brown.  They crackle, bend and break easily.  But now the plants are ready to be harvested to sustain many different forms of life.

As I ponder this miraculous process of the circle of life, it reminds me of people.  We come into life so new and pretty and tender.  If we have been given the right amount of food, attention and protection we can grow into a strong adult that can withstand and weather much.  But it takes time to develop the wisdom and experience that comes with living many years of life on this earth.

In our society we are so focused on people who are young and strong and beautiful we forget just how important and beneficial our older generation is.  Their backs may be bent, their hair may be thin and gray; they may crackle and creak a bit when they move, but the seeds of their wisdom have been cultivated over a lifetime.  The elderly population has so much to offer us.  Listen to their seeds of wisdom.  Take time to learn from them.  Take time to get to know them.  Make sure if you are fortunate enough to have aging parents and grandparents that you look upon them as the priceless people they are.  Value them like the farmer values his precious seed.  Make sure your children are involved in their lives as well.

Just like the cornfield can feed a nation.  If an elderly person is given the chance - the seeds of their wisdom can be harvested for a new generation.  And the harvest and the circle of life can be complete.