If you gather different generations in one place and ask them a dozen of particular questions, you will notice that people of advanced age are always the main subject mentioned in the answers. For example:

Who is the wisest among you? - Those that have lived longest and consequently accumulated wisdom of life.

Who is the happiest among you? - Of course, grandparents. Because they have experienced the joy of being children, parents, grandparents.

And who are the richest ones among those present here? - Also the elderly. Because wealth does not necessary mean only material prosperity. In addition, they have golden hands and a heart of gold; besides, have a look at how many grandchildren they have!

In that case, who are the poorest ones? -  Well, once again - seniors. But why? Because they have lost so much during their lives: their health, strength, and beauty.

And they sowed and picked, gave birth and raised, cried and were happy, achieved and lost, brought up and reaped the fruits of their labour.

What is the old age like? Who has described it best? Who has painted it with a brush on canvas? Who can tell you about it most? Only those who has become old. And to get to that age is a great gift of God.

It is said that the advanced age is the time, when a person becomes younger spiritually, gains wisdom and experience, becomes more respectful and venerable, is more able to believe and trust, love and forgive. This age is also called golden. Thus, this must be the best time of life. And is it really so in reality?

Requests and instructions for the youth: Take care of your family, those who brought you up, and helped you both morally and materially; appreciate their aspiration to help you, even if you think it is unnecessary or inappropriate. Do not offend them neither by words, nor by action. Look after them, when they are old, take care of them and love them. Your deeds will return to you a hundredfold. Besides, you will be put in their place in several decades. And your children and grandchildren will take care of you. Do not forget about those living alone, widows, abandoned by their state, veterans, disabled people, and those who is unable to take care of themselves on their own.

It is overtly stated in the Bible that our life span depends immediately on our attitude to the parents. So we create problems by disregarding the problems of seniors.

Today, Ukraine celebrates the International Day

of the Elderly together with the whole world.

In addition, we celebrate Veterans Day today.

The Council of the Ukrainian Association of Retired Persons congratulate the members of the organization, seniors both in Ukraine and in the world, and also veterans of our country on this magnificent day.

If your hair becomes grey - then may it be only owing to your advanced age. If a tear appears in your eyes, then may it be a tear of happiness. And if your heart misses a bit, then may it happen only because of excitement aroused by sudden attention and care of others.

May the autumn outside your windows be warm and productive. May the autumn of your life be good and quiet. May your hearts be comforted by love of people, and may the attention of your children and grandchildren be brought to your homes. Let's get prepared for this age. And then the autumn of our life will knock at the door quietly and say: "It' is so wonderful that you have been waiting for me and have prepared for my coming beforehand".

Congratulations on the Day of the Elderly, and on Veterans day, dear Ukrainians!

UARP’s Council