Senior Daze

by Katie Bourg

About Katie: Having arrived in time for the Great (?) Depression, WWII, and all other 20th century problems, I am endowed with long and varied memories. Writing classes have long been my home away from home. Other people's stories are fascinating, and sharing is growth at its best. Hope you seniors will join me with your stories. Try it. You'll like it.

The Stillaguamish Senior Center serves a nice lunch four days a week at an acceptable price. It's a good place to meet, socialize and get involved. Friday is a favorite, because they add entertainment. I always try to get there on Friday.

Every two months a new schedule of activities is available. They used to mail it to members, but it has become too costly. You can see it online, or you can pick up a copy at the desk. Sometimes they leave a copy on the tables. If you hang around there, you probably don't need it, as somebody will always tell you of new choices.

I've been thinking about this because of a recent letter to Abby. The writer had found herself alone, without much support. She had never been one to join anything or depend on others. She really didn't seem to want to do so now, but was lonely and hurting. The answers that came back to Abby were filled with choices, and the messages were all very much the same: "Get up and get out there." The world does not come to your door, but it certainly has provided a path for you to follow. Along that path you will meet many. They need you just as much as you need them, and in the dark of night, that's important to remember. There's always an Audrey.

I admit to being lucky. Shortly after we were forced to leave the home we loved and relocate near medical facilities, one of my husband's old co-workers made the same arrangements nearby. He died before the change could be completed. The move took place the day of his funeral. Their children worried about their mother being alone in a new place. We decided to take her to lunch at the Senior Center for starters. She joined several activities, which helped. I didn't know just how soon I would be in the same position.

Ten months later, I was alone. The house was full for a few days, then all returned to their own responsibilities. That's when the phone rang.

Audrey never asked me if I wanted to go to lunch. She just said, "Where are we going?" She never heard me say no or can't. She simply said, "I'll pick you up."

This shy quiet woman, whom I had known for forty years, not well, never let me stay home and mope. She had a will of iron, and I just got dressed and crawled in her car. When I lost her two years later, I was devastated, but by then had learned how to go on. She was the best thing that could happen to any widow.

The lesson: With or without an Audrey, keep going.

There are a number of entertainers who show up on Friday at the Stilly Center. People pick up the schedule at the desk, and turn pages to see who's coming. You can tell by the look on their faces when they've found a favorite. Someone is always going to say, "Hey, Sue is coming again."

Sue Williams worked at Denny's for 30 years. She never sang for others, had no confidence in her ability and hadn't thought of doing so. Her husband's interest in environmental issues kept him away from home a lot. One day, while visiting a couple at Pacific Crest, she sang for some senior citizens. A staff member listened, told her she should do more of this, and gave her a number to call. She did, and was called to sing at Arbor Place the same day.

That was eight years ago. She's been singing ever since, sometimes two and three times a day. She's only gotten better. When she told me she had been married 40 years, I had trouble believing it. She is a bundle of energy, and can really warm up a crowd. She seems to know every old song ever written, and pulls people out of her audience to dance. You can see the old boys really love it.

She also writes poetry, and has been raising her granddaughter. We've all met Allisa, who already has the moves down, and sometimes joins Sue on stage. They are a great duo.

She's due back at the Stilly Center May 24. Come to lunch and join the fun.