MPR: Aging Gracefully - An Individual Perspective

June 8: Judy: A Welcome Presence
Lots of bantering back and forth at work as we are all sort of crazy with the commitments we have made to cook three meals tomorrow at the senior center for the Minnesota Square Dance Convention.

I gave Judy a bad time because she got kudos for her journaling the first time, as I tried to improve mine. She is such a neat young woman and does so well with the seniors even though they frustrate her sometimes. I enjoy her youth and working with her. I wish there were more like her working with our senior population. She makes me feel wise when I can tell her what kudos means and I love that she can teach me things about computers that I don't know.

We both gang up on the director of the center for not being able to say NO! I should talk—Judy is the best one; it isn't that she doesn't care, she has just learned to take better care of herself. It also makes me feel good reassuring someone that she is doing a great job.

For me the contrast of working with seniors, being a senior, and having a young woman around is great. I also need to learn to say NO—now, once the rummage sale at church is over I will do a better job? I find that sometimes I need to be busy doing things to feel worthwhile—or is it because I would rather be out than at home cleaning?

Have to admit I do enjoy the people contacts, but a friend who delivered a planter today for my good deeds suggested my yard would benefit from some attention. I suggested that now that that I had a wonderful planter, the yard looks great! I do need to do something—maybe Sunday after church, since I now have been guilted into it. Guilt works great on a Swedish Lutheran like me.

Must go to bed, as I promised I would be at the center by 7:15 to serve breakfast. Sure hope lots of people show up, as otherwise we will have lots of leftovers and I must help eat them all as we wouldn't want to waste anything—another reminder from the youth: "waste not, want not!"

It is cool tonight so I think and hope that the mosquitoes have gone to bed already.

June 9: Not Enough Volunteers
What a Saturday! I fell asleep watching Antique Roadshow at 9:30, so here goes! Our town was all excited about the Minnesota Square Dance Convention and all the visitors it would bring. All churches etc. were to gear up, as the organizers requested for the 1,500-2,000 people who were to come and eat. The senior center was asked to prepare lunch and dinner for 100 each time on Saturday. We did our very best promoting but we served 6 for lunch and about 8 for dinner—so much for fund-raising. I am bushed and frustrated, as we have done this before and it would be easier for each volunteer to donate $5 and we would be ahead.

We weren't the only ones who have tons of food left over. I did my best to eat (I do that when I am frustrated) more than my share and purchased food for a few days! The good news is one always gets to work with great volunteers. There is a couple from Minneapolis that camp in our park for the summer, and the first thing they do is check with the senior center and see what they can do. They are young seniors (those that are around 60ish, myself included), have lots of energy and give such a great gift when they are in Grand Marais.

What I find is that one could volunteer 60 hours a week and still be asked to do more—I don't know what our community would do without people who are willing to donate time—and I wish there were more that would. I think what happens is that many people are booked solid and there are others that don't want to, or just don't know how to get started. My hope is that my children will take the time to also volunteer, even now in their thirties. I hear stories from them as they volunteer for Cub Scouts, etc., how hard it is to get people involved. Are we too busy working, etc., or is it a lack of interest? Or do we need to start our children at a young age to see the rewards?

Maybe I am meandering about volunteers and volunteering, as I am in charge of the church rummage sale all next week and desperately need volunteers. It involves many people helping to make it a success and I know it will make at least $3,000 for our youth and family programs. I will again beg at church and see what happens. Maybe I need to get on the prayer chain. I'll keep everyone posted!

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