Every Day is a Day for Older People

I recently attended a memorial lecture in honour of my mentor. As I sat there, I recalled his last message to me:

"I am growing old, but I want to be on the same page as you. I want to think as we used to think. Will you be with me?"

His words have stayed with me, a reminder that age need not be a barrier to intellectual companionship.

On the International Day of Older Persons, the UN General Assembly reminds us: "The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person." It is a day to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of older generations to society.

But why celebrate only once a year? Every day is a day for older people. I strive to honour that by being present for my students, just as my mentor wished to be present for me. Learning, after all, is a continuous dialogue across generations.