WE ALL like to think we have open minds, right? Well, it wasn't until I had the pleasure of conversing with a remarkable lady named Marion Garland that I had my mind blown right open.
We only intended on chatting for 20 to 30 minutes but before we knew it almost two hours had passed.
Let me divulge a little more about Marion.
She is 80 years young and has more spring in her step than most people I know of my age. She's involved with numerous charitable organisations, including being a chairwoman for Bristol Older People's Forum and dedicating her time arranging the ongoing 'Celebrating Age Festival' that started on Saturday June 9 and runs until the 23rd.
The festival will offer an assortment of activities and Marion yearns for people of all ages to come along.
She said: "I belong to several organisations and they all say they wish the youngsters would get more involved with the older people as they could probably tell us a few things, just like we could tell them."
Marion is of an era faced with the atrocities of World War II but in spite of this she spoke of a great sense of community that she would love to be restored in society today.
She recalls when the war ended all the men came back to their war-torn homes and they moved with their families to greener pastures.
"The only difference between the youth of today and that of my day is how there's no community spirit", proclaims Marion. "There are more people in the world today than ever yet we're all so segregated."
For Marion age is insignificant as she gets on with all ages.
She gives time to various youth clubs in her surrounding area of Southmead where she goes from club to club talking about whatever subject interests the young people.
She mentioned that there are a lot of people on the estate living on their own, to which she added: "They're all lonely and we try to do things to bring them together."
One of many things that Marion and I agreed on was that regardless of age, class, ethnicity, political views or religious beliefs, we should all seek to connect with both those close to us and those furthest away. What better opportunity then to get involved with the 'Celebrating Age Festival'.
For more information visit www. linkagebristol.org.uk/hub/celebrating- age-festival-2012/about.aspx.
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