Day 66

Finished my April Haiku writing and I miss it already. It may become part of the morning ritual. I love my long quiet mornings. Best way to begin a day that will be busy with people and activities. The museum opens for the summer season and I will go this morning to spend a couple of hours with Rick Bennett. I feel that time with him is precious. I have great respect for him and enjoy his company. 

May - Senior News

When my teaching career was over after thirty-two years I wondered who I was without the role, the colleagues, the calendar and clock, the planning, the continuous learning, and the mental stimulation. I kind of sank into a doldrum. One morning I woke up wanting to go out and do something. I found the RSVP volunteer coordinator and my first placement was tutoring a Hmong couple in written English. After a few weeks, I said to myself, “Hey, this is teaching and I’ve already done that. What else is out there that can provide new uses of my skills and time?” Through a friend I became a VIP volunteer with the police department and enjoyed the new people and new routine. From there I became a clerk for Teen Court finding community service placements for the teens. Then another friend asked me to work at the Visitors’ Center and that was fun. Talking with tourists and giving directions to our beautiful points of interest was engaging. After a few committees, boards, etc. I found that I didn’t want to be on the planning part of activities, I wanted to stay on the doing part. So, no more. I did stay in public school too, volunteering in my daughter Hollie’s class. It was fun to see her at work and be part of her day. She let me do my favorite things, writing and art. Then I became interested in the Historical Society and wrote a column for the local paper for a while and volunteer once a week. The visitors have stories about museums that they have seen and we come up with top honors for our exhibits. My friend asked me come to her art gallery and show people the works of our local artists. I often sit in the window and write in my journal and watch people. I work at the Senior Center twice a week registering the guests. It’s a hospitality job making sure that the paper work is done and the guests are comfortable. I enjoy listening to the stories. Lots of wisdom there. I asked one of the regulars to go to school with me and teach crocheting to a group of second graders. Steve agreed with enthusiasm, pleased to have a skill to share with others. Everyone has time and skill to share. In these economically stressed times, volunteers are keeping services going. Just look around and there are places that need help. Being part of the community and adding what I can brings me a needed connection to daily life.