'Butterfly Effect' strives to encourage more conversation between generations
Colin McCrae is a busy man.
At the young age of 83, he keeps up an active lifestyle and spends much of his time volunteering.
"I liken it to an old 19th century motorcar, and it won't go unless I have fuel, and that fuel is the community," he explains.
McCrae enjoys spending time with seniors and youth alike.
Most recently, he got involved with a campaign for National Seniors Day called 'The Butterfly Effect,' an initiative that strives to encourage more conversation amongst generations.
"Butterflies, in my mind," he says, "are the epitome of gracefulness, of frailty, of diligence."
Katie Mahoney's association, We Are Young, grants wishes for seniors, they partnered with RBC for the campaign.
About 150 RBC employees created five-thousand butterflies that were distributed to seniors across Nova Scotia.
Mahoney says the butterflies symbolize the trials, tribulations and challenges that seniors have overcome.
She encourages seniors to share their wisdom with the younger generations, or caterpillars, as she refers to them in the campaign.
"Most people don't realize, or kind of forget, that they are the ones who paved the way for the life and opportunity that we live today," Mahoney explains. "They are a generation that is pure and humble and selfless, and we can learn a lot from them."
The CEO of Canadian's National Seniors Advocacy Organization, CanAge, says on this National Seniors Day, it is important to reflect on the past 19 months and look at how we and government can support seniors now more than ever, as we continue to navigate through the pandemic.
"Early on we were told that seniors needed to stay at home, and of course, the Atlantic provinces really took that seriously," Laura Tamblyn Watts explains. "That meant for many people, not seeing family and friends for a year and a half, and we know that doesn't just hit your mental health, it his your physical health, too."
That's why Katie Mahoney is doing her part, to help improve the wellbeing of seniors in our communities.
"I think it's just being conscious that, you know, we're going to walk into their shoes," she says. "We want people to advocate for us as we get older. And I think the biggest take home message on today, especially, is if we are lucky enough to get old, it is a privilege to be a senior, and I think that message is often times lost."
"Life is worth living," adds McCrae. "But live it in a honest, and truth and caring, compassionate way."
Words of wisdom from both the younger and older generation, working together to create a beautiful future for everyone.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.