The Aged Are People, Too

About the Book

The story in this book is partially a story about my maternal grandfather. He was a stubborn man who refused to accept any limitations placed on him by the society in which he found himself. He believed that every elderly should be allowed without any restriction to enjoy life to the fullest. This story could be considered the story of every elderly that loved and cherished their independent. Mr. Smith at seventy-five, in spite of all the objections from his children and his awareness of changes affecting his aging body, was determined to marry a twenty-five year aged girl, he met on the bus. He tried to rationalize his desires, needs and love for this young girl. He struggle with the society’s belief and cultures of dos and don’ts. He was determined to get the girl who captured his heart. The parents of the girl were unhappy and would have killed him, if the opportunity had presented itself. The father did try, only to accidentally hit his daughter with the 2x2 wood. The daughter was admitted to the hospital for the incident. The threat of arrest by the police for the action of the girl’s father was averted by Mr. Smith. Whatever he told the police stopped the arrest, and under that condition, the family gave their blessing to the two love birds to get married. Enjoy the story of love and how one man attempt, in his way to change the stereotypes about the aged. He detested the use of the word, ‘old.’ He prefer the substitute, ‘aged,’ ‘mature,’ wise man,’ or elderly.’

About the Author

The writer is a Nigerian-American. Mr. Kehinde Ikuomenisan, emigrated to United States in 1981. He attended Hostos Community College in the Bronx, New York, where he received an Associate Degree in Applied Science; after graduation in 1993. In 2002, he graduated from the State University of New York, Old Westbury with BA in Economics and Society; and in 2005, he graduated from the University of Phoenix, Arizona with a Master's Degree in Nursing. Mr. Ikuomenisan worked for many years with the elderly as a Registered Nurse in the capacity of a Clinical Nurse Manger and a Director of Nursing. He is currently doing nursing research. In 2008, he received a certification from ANCC after passing the gerontological nursing certification examination of the American Nursing Association.