In a time of political tension that focuses on age as an issue, I am reminded of Rebbe Zalman's teaching that anyone can grow old. It takes commitment and effort to become an Elder. Yet, for so many aging is a time of despair, suffering illness of body and soul. The physician, Rachel Naomi Remen, wrote, "Much illness may have its roots in unrecognized spiritual distress-issues of isolation, anger, the feelings people have that they don't matter or that nobody matters to them. I think that depression is not so much an issue of nobody loving you. Depression is an issue of not being able to find a place to give your love, not being able to love enough." |