It’s been a while since the last time I saw Iris, and I didn’t have her phone number so I had no idea where she was. Last Thursday, I saw Iris at the Senior Center, decked in scrubs and fresh out of Jefferson Hospital. She looked happy and healthy, and she brought a friend of hers’—older bud Elene—to Best Day to see what it was like. Elene wrote a powerful story about what she wanted to make sure her grandson knew.
In honor of Iris’ triumphant return, I thought I’d post one of her stories.
Iris Wildflower
02.21.2019
The Danger of Silence
Finding your voice silent no more. The silence of family and friends, I will no longer compromise my peace, my voice, my feelings, for the sake of others who are deaf, dumb and blind who take a deaf ear. Dumb-mounth and blind age to my voice who misunderstand me, persecute me, cast me out, trample on my soul, until I become invisible, so much pain!!! I have a voice, there’s so much danger in silence. I’m silent no more. I know I’ve been changed. The angles in heaven done called my name. Silent no more.
Life is short, so make time to talk to your older buds. Send us their stories through this form. And if you want to do more to end senior isolation, click here to participate in our tenth anniversary celebration, Friday November 8th, 10AM-4PM Or if you’re looking to bring our storytelling experiences to your workplace, check out our lunch and learn. Thanks again, and make today the best day of your life so far.
Curated by Caitlin Cieri
