ElderChicks

My transition into my later years actually started in childhood because I was blessed with remarkable parents who taught their three children to think for ourselves, imagine the possibilities, follow our dreams, and when we were sure what we were  doing was the right thing,  we were not to ever concern ourselves with what the neighbors thought.

I am now 77, busily writing a memoir while contemplating my simultaneous, less sedentary moves. I’ve had a career in the entertainment industry, followed by 20 years in the Army, then, like many other ex-military, I became a federal employee and retired in 1995 to, first, care for my mother, and then start another career as a decorator. When executing stencils and hand painting on clients’ ceiling became a physical problem, I got off my ladders and opened a bed and breakfast, joining a new-defunct B & B organization called “Retreat and Reveille” for ex, active and retired military colleagues from all over the world.

For over 30 years, I have also continued to be a volunteer ESL tutor and have been richly blessed by every minute of it, including learning so much from my students and immigrants, some of whom  lived with me. In addition, I taught English in our local mosque for five years and became well-acquainted with Islam and Islamic adherents. That led me to designing and conducting  an orientation class, “Introduction to Islam” at my church.

As my parents ably demonstrated, much of life is what we decide to make of it. When my beloved second husband died in 1989, I couldn’t imagine life without him, but as he assured me on his death bed, “You will find a way.” It took time, of course, but I believe both my parents and my husband are proud of what I’ve done and am still doing with my life.  Now I must get back to my book; I’ve put myself on a two-year deadline!