The premise is good but hinging it on @older@ people is just retarded
I do not understand why you keep saying you should respect old people in particular. Why not respect everone equally?
For real. Living by "rules" is for the mentally weak who are unable to make wise decisions whenever the situation calls for it.
Rules handicap yourself and are almost always based on flawed premises
That story sounds very painful. It seems as though you have broken out of the circle though, which is good.