Sounds of WOW!

It sounded like a helicopter--some kind of public announcement or instruction. We both turned our attention curiously, across the street in the direction of the loud voice--the stranger next to me and myself--only to realize it was an Amtrak station and announcement.

"Sounded like a helicopter…," she commented first, breaking the silence.

"Yes, that's what I was thinking," I concurred.

The ice now broken, we began chatting. She's from San Diego and I learned from her that it is common there for elderly people to get lost--those with Alzheimer's or dementia. In fact, she'd just heard those more-frequent sounds of helicopters on the search for a lost elderly woman just a few days ago.

I shared with her about my current reading of articles and info on the elderly as my company joins hands with Capturing Life Stores president, Dennis Stack, who has worked successfully for years with hospices and retirement homes and elder attorneys to serve this select group of people.

She and I chatted back and forth for several minutes sharing stories and beliefs about how important our elderly are--their wisdom, their life stories and experiences--and how sad it is they are so often "lost." We spoke of the wonderful work of outreach programs, linking youth with elderly, story keeper with storyteller, bridging generations, blessing one another, healing.

Break over, we went back inside the Hyatt Reunion in Dallas for the final talk of our 5-day retreat at Robert Allen's Enlightened Wealth Retreat. We shared contact information with each other. While reaching for business cards I extended my hand, "By the way, my name is Becki." She laughed, taking hold of my hand to shake it, "Mine is Rebecca!" Wow! ….there have been a lot of Wows! recently.