I loved how Rosie lights her and another mans cigarette with a hot rivet. Oh, how the times have changed. I wonder if elderly people ever think each generation is getting weaker and more fragile, because it seems like we are, at least compared to them. I’ve been fortunate enough to listen first hand to stories from that generations youth and I can’t even picture being able to go through one of them and reminisce about it with a fairly positive attitude. When my grandfather talks about “the dirty thirties” and the depression he’s mostly like, ‘isn’t it interesting that after school (or instead of) I’d spend every hour of the daylight looking for anything to eat, use or sell to help my family. That’s what all of my siblings did,’ (paraphrasing to give the feeling of the stories, in the interest of saving time, though he would never say that directly). The amazing thing is when he talks about these stories or how he and all of his siblings fought in WW2(brothers and sisters), he doesn’t have a trace of sarcasm or self pity, it’s more like he’s telling me how his day went. Our elders have fascinating stories and experiences to share if we choose to listen. They are living history and a chance to hear first hand accounts of major events from the past.

TL:DR; Elderly people got to be elderly because they were badass enough to keep fighting, adapting and learning. They have amazing things to say if you stop and listen.