Ever heard of a bird called a hoopoe? Neither had I until my grandsons Hoyt and Aiden shared one of their thought-provoking homeschool lessons with me. This bird is widespread in Europe, Asia, parts of Africa and Madagascar.  In 2008, it was chosen as the national bird of Israel. The name is said to imitate the call of this bird, which may be oop-oop; oop-oop-oop; or sometimes oop-oop-oop-oop. Are you wondering where I am going with this?

Actually, it has nothing to do with oops! The lesson being taught to the boys by their mom (my daughter Amy) was from their language curriculum. It utilized writings from the Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, which were written in code and have provided some challenges for scholars attempting to translate his musings. However, Jean Paul Richter, who was born in Germany in 1763 and was best known for writing humorous novels and stories, translated this particular section. In it, da Vinci used what he had observed in nature to illustrate different character qualities.

“The virtue of gratitude is said to be the most developed in the birds called hoopoes which, knowing the benefits of life and food they have received from their father and their mother, when they see them grow old, make a nest for them and brood over them and feed them, and with their beaks pull out their old and shabby feathers; and then, with a certain herb restore their sight so that they return to a prosperous state.”

Got a tissue handy? When I read that quote from their lesson…well, I got very teary-eyed. What a lovely example of gratitude from the animal domain for human creatures to follow!

Gratitude is not a word we always equate with family caregiving. We sometimes hear loyalty, responsibility, obligation, or even burden. I love this idea that children are so grateful for the benefits provided to them by their parents when they were young that their natural response is to reciprocate by lovingly caring for them in old age.

It is not easy to see our moms and dads grow old. We go through many stages with our parents, from helpless infant/caregiver to adolescent/mentor to adult friends. There may even be adversarial phases. However, if we are blessed, after many years the relationship comes full circle. And because we are grateful for all that our parents have done for us, we:

• make sure they have a comfortable place to live, which may entail converting the garage to a mother-in-law suite or redesigning one of the children’s empty rooms into a cozy abode for Grandpa.
• watch over them – sometimes 24-7 – providing nourishment, both physical and emotional.
• tenderly care for their aged and fragile bodies with gentle baths and soothing lotions, cautiously shaving Dad’s greying beard and meticulously tweezing the straying whiskers on Mom’s chin
• and, we accompany them to doctor appointments; make sure their prescriptions do not run out; and ensure they receive proper medical care. Though we are unlikely to see their health restored, we can enhance their waning years by providing companionship, assistance with activities of daily living and an atmosphere that is comforting and safe.

These are beautiful ways to show our elderly parents how grateful we are to them, as we remember all they have done for us.

 

Caring quote:Proverbs 23:22 “Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.”