We are all looking for a new way to express the word senior. It seems that the term "elder" although a revered word in some cultures has it's own limitations as a descriptor in the U.S.. The word Croney- which really indicates "wisdom of aging" is an option. Although positive in it's true meaning I think most of us think negative immediately as in "old croney".
There are others, many in fact, but it requires an entire re-education process for us to change our view of the term senior when it refers to someone older. I personally like senior as it refers to being a Senior in High School, College or a Senior partner in a professional practice or business. It is positive and STRONG until you get to the senior related to being at the late stages of life. Ironic really as it is probably when we should receive the recognition as being accomplished in many areas and realizing finally that there is so much more to know and grow to become. We have measuring sticks of success and accomplishment for the first definitions mentioned. However, we have not yet defined -in a positive fashion that to be a senior in our society means you have completed school or some avocation, had a family or influenced young people along the way in some form or fashion, created friendships- some which last a minute in the scheme of life and some which last a life time; We've celebrated others birthday's and mile stones for ourselves and others. Perhaps the use of the term senior in our earlier years are the misnomers? Perhaps we should not be applauded for reaching heights which are truly "Milestones". Now, is the true celebration!
That is why I propose our new term be "National Treasure". From the Rockies to the ocean to the Yosemite and all the other grand gestures we consider our National Treasures, the genuine national treasures are all around us, right in front of us, perhaps sitting next to us right now. They are the senior executives of life and they continue to thrive, live and contribute in perhaps even greater ways than they ever could when they were being measured by common tools. Pay attention and instead of thinking less than because the packaging is a little wrinkled, think about what's in that package. Appearances are not always what they seem.