July - September 2018

www.servingourseniors.org 11 800-564-1856 419-624-1856 Today, at 92, Alice works two days per week. She finds work to be a very meaningful way to remain involved in life. “I enjoy meeting people and interacting with them,” she said. “I come from an ambitious family. We have to be doing something. I can’t just sit here.” She went on to say, with a smile in her voice, “You can have only so many embroidered towels.” Frank died in 2011 and Alice has now outlived the majority of her friends. Many people would find themselves feeling lonely. Alice will tell you, in no uncertain terms, “I’m not lonely. I enjoy going to work at Miracle Ear two days per week. It’s why I have a lot of people in my life.” For Alice, work gives her a sense of purpose and provides an opportunity to see many friends and make new acquaintances. Being an older person herself gives her a special empathy for her customers. She reports, “I relate well to the customers. We have interesting conversations. I really enjoy my job. I tell Sandy that I am the entertainer.” Her customers feel the same about her. She recalled a recent story of a women she met through her work. This person fell, broke her hip and ended up homebound for six months. Alice said, “When her niece was able to take her out, she wanted to come and see us. When she saw me, she gave me a great big hug and told me how happy she was to see me.” When Alice is not working, she runs her own errands and does her own shopping. Alice still cooks, but admits it is not for pleasure. She does it because it’s part of life. When asked how she was able to cope after losing her husband of 67 years she replied, “We both lived very happy lives and I have no regrets about anything. I’ve adjusted. I have a wonderful family and they keep me entertained.” She and her daughter Linda have dinner together almost every night. She talks with her other daughter Judy who lives in Florida, every day. Judy comes back to Milan every three to four months to visit. Last, but not least, her grandson Chip and granddaughter-in- law Jennifer come to see her every day. In fact, her home is in their backyard. She makes an effort to take an interest in what her grandchildren and great- grandchildren are doing. For example, her grandson collects cars. Because of his hobby, she has taken it upon herself to develop her knowledge about cars. She said, “I know what a Hemi Engine is and some other things, so I can talk to him about cars. My grandson is absolutely wonderful. If he is going somewhere, he will ask me if I want to go along.” “I have great-grandchildren, too. I’m interested in what they do. In fact, I went to two spring concerts last week.” Her advice to others who want to age successfully is simple: “You have to stay interested in life.” Alice and her late husband, Frank, together at Christmas in 1986. Alice with her 2 great-grandsons and their friends.