Apparently, since I seem to be the only NE who likes writing, I have been charged with writing a number of our books and manuals. This is generally not a problem, since I have experience and lots of information about most of them. The only book we’ve put up for general perusal is The Numenous Way, but I’ve also compiled the books for the priests and ministers and heads of Houses to use, along with a book (still underway) for children in Numenism.
The problem is, once I finish the children’s book, the other Elders expect me to write the book for Elders.
Being a newbie Elder, I don’t have a whole lot of data, and the pool of Elders is extremely small in Numenism. Extremely. Which means that even our combined experience is limited and small.
I’ve turned to grandparenting wisdoms for some of the data I need, but that only carries me so far in the research for this book.
Numenists are very osmotic and willing to examine anything to see if it fits or can be altered to fit (sort of like those beautiful Romanian and Russian peasant blouses that are pieced of many different pieces of recycled fabrics), so, if there are any really old people reading this, I’d appreciate some advice and help on what to include in the book.
So far, I’ve put together a brief outline of guidelines for Elders (and fleshed them out considerably), but I always feel as if I’m leaving something out.
The brief guidelines are:
1. Elders have tenure.
2. Elders are a safe haven
3. Elders don’t have to be politically correct
4. Elders delegate
5. Elders plan for the long haul
6. Elders are the keepers and creators of tradition
7. Elders K.I.S.S. to make things better
8. Elders keep the secrets and mysteries
9. Elders are the historians and storytellers
Each of these have been explained and expanded out to full sized chapters, but what am I missing?
In no particular order and just a small part of all of it.
Totally Cool Grandparenting – Lesley Linsley
Grandparenting ABCs – Eleanor Berman
Elders and Leaders – Gene Getz
What Are Old People For? – William Thomas
Of Earth and Elders – Serle Chapman
Wisdom of the Elders – David Suzuki, Peter Knudson
Essential Grandparent – Lilian Carson
Grandparent Guide – Arthur Kornhaber
I have more books ordered, like Dr. Elgin’s The Grandmother Principles (no link, I didn’t find it on-line, although I didn’t look too hard since I ordered it through my bookstore), and a lot of the rest of the resources are “in house” so to speak.
Leave a comment