Judy Schmidt
A Personal Journal Reflecting On Aging
June 10 | June 11

	Reflections of Judy Schmidt June 6: Not Really A Day Off June 7: Wilma the Ringleader June 8: Hard to Get the Younger Seniors Involved June 9: Asking for Help is OK June 10: Making Friends June 11: Saying Things We Don't Mean June 12: Negativity June 14: It's Nice to Make A Difference June 15: Working Conflicts June 17: Wish I Could be a Hero June 19: Getting Busy June 20: Time to Slow Down

June 10: Making Friends
Today was such a good day. No one complained and I did not have anyone knock on my door. I went out in the lobby area of my building to make sure everyone was feeling OK. It was so nice to have such a quiet day. I always enjoy these when I get them. Sometimes I think people take for granted what it means to have time to yourself. I truly soak it all up when I do get time to be alone with my thoughts or just to sit and watch TV and not think of anything at all. For me it really helps to do this before I start the work week again.

My husband and I went to a friend's for supper. It is so nice to have friends in Grand Marais now. We moved up here two years ago not knowing a soul. Then my husband was called over to Germany for Army Reserves, so I was up here for eight months by myself.

I feel very lucky that I was able to be the caretaker at the apartment building we lived at while my husband was gone. I don't think I could have done it without the elderly people who lived there. They helped me through some difficult times. I really consider them part of my family—I have 23 grandparents.

Of course it's not all peaches and cream all the time. They do get on my nerves, but you know, family can do that, too. I truly believe in order to give any new community a chance you have to get out there and meet people. And also give it at least two years.

I have lived in Grand Marais for two years now and I really don't picture myself anywhere else.

June 11: Saying Things We Don't Mean
I was very very tired today. The weekend seemed to have worn me out. The seniors at the center were giving me a hard time. There was one who was really let me have it. She was selling tickets all day long and she was not tired. I laugh about that because they do not realize that I'm up early, moving around, doing dishes, cooking, cleaning, and so on. They think just because they are not tired, no one else should be. I suppose sometimes I think that way. My grandma did, too. If she would wake up at 5 am, then so should I. So I learned early on how elderly think and act for the most part.

I have learned to not take things too seriously when it comes to seniors. Just like with all of us, we say things that we don't mean to say. So the seniors continued to give me a hard time but I took all in and did not take any of it seriously.

I told them that when I get to be their age, then maybe I will be able to sell tickets all day and not be tired. But until then, I need my sleep. They all seemed to get a good laugh from that.

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