Age and Competency are Not the Same Thing

 Recent news reports of health issues among older Americans serving in government have raised issues of people being too old to serve. However, age does not directly relate to incompetency. People can and do have health problems at any age. The issue is not gerontocracy, but capacity to do one's job. We need to ask what skills does one have? What wisdom? What gifts, what knowledge, what integrity? I contracted a complex chronic disease/disability at the age of 44. I continued to teach graduate school students for 34 more years and still teach, write, speak and mentor. I give thanks for the intellectually challenged person who is a greeter at a large store. 

Here is a picture of three generations in my family. Jackson is now 17, Joel 56 and Burton 86. All are so capable in their occupations.