How Online Service Helps Young and Old

Elder Wisdom Circle, in Walnut Creek, Calif., uses the Internet to bring together young people in need of guidance

and older people who can pass on the knowledge they have acquired throughout their lives.

More than 250 older people around the world agree to answer the questions that are submitted to the organization’s Web site at http://www.elderwisdomcircle.org. The service is free to advice seekers and the group urges young people to view the organization’s volunteers as “grandparents to the cyber-world.”

Because the older volunteers can answer the questions from computers in their homes, Elder Wisdom Circle has made it possible for many people who are sick or frail to volunteer in meaningful ways.

Following is a typical exchange posted on the organization’s Web site:

Advice seeker writes: Thanks in advance for listening. My very best friend (also my cousin) just got engaged, and I am very happy for her. I am her maid of honor and am ready to take on all that responsibility, but I’m having problems with jealousy.

See, my long-term love is in jail, and he might not even be out in time for the wedding. This wedding, while a great blessing to her, is bringing up all kinds of issues I have with my own relationship as well as with my parents — she was always much closer to her mother than me, and it hurts me to think that I will never have the kind of experience she is having, planning the wedding with a loving, nonjudgmental mother.

I am keeping a good face on and sharing her excitement as best I can, but I would like some advice as to how to bring peace into my heart so I can be the best maid of honor possible.

Volunteer writes: I think you have answered this yourself. You know her life has been different than yours but it doesn’t have to change the way you treat the situation. Just continue to be happy for her and all of them and don’t dwell on your relationship with your mother.

There are many ways to bring peace to your heart. I don’t know what your cultural background is but I believe in God and that is where I find peace. You never know what this party could bring so go and keep that good face on; you know the bride is the focus of the day and you will be a great help to her.

You could have a wonderful day when it is your time to do that. Never say never.

There is much joy in having a servant’s attitude and that should work well for you on that day. You are a good person, believe in yourself.