Calling Upon the Better Angels of our Nature — Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address

I am very fortunate to be close with my parents by proximity and in friendship. As we go through our life’s journey, obstacles appear that the people you know, and love could use some help conquering. My dad needs a cane to keep his footing, and my mom needs a rollator. Fortunately, they are still of sound mind and a joy to hang out with. Even if they weren’t, we should all help others whenever possible, because we are becoming acutely aware of what we’re going through in the aging process and it doesn’t get easier as we grow wiser and wiser by the day. 

I spend 2-3 hours each day helping my parents out with household chores, like vacuuming, mopping, dusting, window washing, doing dishes, cooking, going to the grocery store, snow removal, sweeping the garage and sidewalk, getting the mail, overseeing the purchase and administration of medication, and helping them with diet and exercise. The last item is the most challenging, because it’s ultimately up to them to want to do this. 

I also take my parents to their medical appointments and to visit family and friends. I enjoy every minute of it because they are a lot of fun and great friends, too. They have given me so much, it’s rewarding to help them out, which is how retirement should be. More time to relax, more time for hobbies, more time for Facetiming your loved ones, and more time for streaming movies and shows. 

Please help your family, friends and neighbors when you can. Changing a light bulb could mean a broken hip. It isn’t hip to ignore the needs of others. Reach out often and be quick to respond whenever help is needed. 

To condense President Lincoln’s closure to his first address, ”The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus…by the better angels of our nature.”