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interviews

Pat Burns - Age 75

Where were you born? New York 

Where do you live now? Hawaii  

What was/is occupation? Addiction Therapist retired 

Kids? How many? 4 

Religion? Spiritual

Political standpoint:  Democrat

Tell me about your past. What were things like when you were growing up?  We played outside and had fun playing ball and playing hide n seek 

What kind of house did you grown up in? East Meadow, New York. We lived in a ranch house 

What do you know about your family’s heritage? Not much, other than they came from Ireland 

Tell me about the changes you have seen throughout your life and are they better or worse? Growing up we didn’t have the internet and TV to keep us informed about what was going on in the world. Today, we find out almost instantly what’s happening on the other side of the world. I think it is better.

What were your favorite toys as a child? Dolls 

Do you think you get treated nicely as a senior and good care? Yes 

If you can change anything for society, what would it be? More kindness and peace in the world 

Do you like the medical system here? no 

If you could do anything now, and money and health were not an issue, what would it be? Travel 

What age do you feel? 60 

Are you afraid of death? No, I know where I am going. 

Where do you think you go when you die? Heaven 

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be? How people treat one another. 

Do you think the world can come together as one someday? Yes 

What is your best memory? High school being a cheerleader and queen of the prom 

What was your mother like? Although caring about others, She suffered with alcoholism   

Dad? He worked a lot.  

Siblings? 1 brother 

What was your education? Master’s degree 

Which invention of your lifetime did you like the best? Iphone 

Favorite movie?  Gone with the Wind

What is your favorite meal? Lasagna 

What were/are your talents? Artist, author, coach, therapist 

What was your first job and how much did you make? Secretary 

Were you married and how did you meet? Married for 30 years the first time. We met at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Second marriage, we met at a senior dance in Maui, HI.  

What is your best advice to maintain a relationship? Choose love 

Would you date again or get married now? 2nd marriage 5 years ago 

What is great about getting older?  Wisdom and not caring what others think. Doing what I want being retired and enjoying my life 

What advice would you like to pass along?  Live today as if it were your last day. We are not promised tomorrow 

What are you most proud of? My children and how I healed my abusive past 

How would you like to be remembered? For how she LOVED

Clare - Age 76

Where were you born? Dallas TX 

Where do you live now?  Fairfax VA (Washington DC suburbs)  

What was/is occupation?   Was early childhood educator; writer/editor/ journalist, book reviewer, education/social issues focus, children’s books author and website, retired--currently writing and volunteering for faith-based community nonprofits and interfaith sites  

Kids?   How many? 1  

Tell me about your past. What were things like when you were growing up?  Younger Kids had fun exploring playing with other neighborhood kids, and riding bikes or walking to school, and to Sat morning neighborhood movie theatre, loved musicals, and singing, dancing, but lived in Texas, and movies were mostly westerns cowboys and Indians shooting, etc.  “We got TV in 1951, and I was hooked on great comedy shows”  

What kind of house did you grown up in? Many different houses. Moved 8 times all over TX due to Dad’s job as oil exploration geologist. Spent summers with grandparents in Atlanta, Georgia and a family summer cabin with grandparents and cousin in the Blue Ridge mountains 

What do you know about your family’s heritage?  Irish, English. Many wonderful stories of ancestors who were adventurers who came here in 1840s and beyond.  

What were your favorite toys as a child? A stuffed animal toy called “Flop Dog. “  

Tell me about the changes you have seen throughout your life and are they better or worse? “Many changes, yes, especially have witnessed many revolutionary historical events as I have lived in Nation’s capital over past 50 or more years. Changes bring progress, but the changes in world and our country now are very challenging! I am grateful for the surge of courage, comfort, caring by many good folks around the world for peace and healing.” 

Do you think you get treated nicely as a senior and good care? How can it be better? It’s tough to be a senior in USA for many reasons.  Other cultures respect and care for wisdom of elders, but USA has generally not cared for elders that well. 

If you can change anything for society, what would it be? Learning to live in respect, harmony and peace and not divided by differences, and not worship money, technology, or big corporations 

Do you like the medical system here?  No  

If you could do anything now, and money and health were not an issue, what would it be? Miss driving my own car! Travel, go back to my singing group, read/write/share in book clubs, etc.  

What age do you feel? Good question! Young/old/timeless, really!  

Are you afraid of death?  No 

Where do you think you go when you die? (Too deep!)  

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?  No regrets! (Well, yes, I talk too much, learning to listen more!)   

Do you think the world can come together as one someday?  Yes!!  

What is your best memory?  Too many to count here. 

What was your mother like? Dad? Siblings?  Mom was full time, stay at home mom, as were most women in her time. Dad was geologist who traveled a lot on business and often took us with him on his trips around USA (and shared adventures abroad) to visit many sites and meet lots of interesting people.  

What was your education? 3 different elementary schools, 2 different middle schools, three high schools.  Then 7 different colleges/universities for undergraduate and graduate studies.  

Which invention of your lifetime did you like the best?  TV 

What is your favorite movie?  MGM Musicals  

What is your favorite meal?  Fried chicken and mashed potatoes  

What were/are your talents? I am trained in musical theatre and have sung, toured with professional company  during college years and in various community theatre shows in late 1960s.  

What was your first job and how much did you make? The theatre touring company, I think about $30 a week  

Were you married and how did you meet?  Yes, we met in church group after college, in Washington DC 

What is your best advice to maintain a relationship?  Prayer, Patience, humility, laugh more together!  Would you date again or get married now?  No  

What is great about getting older?  Making my own choices!  

What advice would you like to pass along? Live life as forever adventure unfolding. stay CURIOUS! Tough times come for all, but for me, the path out of fear or discouragement is fueled by prayer, listening to inner intuition, good books, song, and humor! Wisdom found in Legacy of the “Snickerdoodle” message and family history stories as shared on my children’s books website. Snickerdoodle says: “The power behind you is much greater by far, than whatever confronts you. if you know who you are… dare to make peace! The world needs your smile. to stretch across oceans, mile after mile! And if you are small and think you can’t win, remember you’re stronger than ten thousand men. who act like they know it all, but really know “zero”… YOU’RE a POWERFUL PEEWEE, a wise, humble hero!” Live what you love and share it! 

Sharon Ruby Lee Mitchelson - Age 70

Where were you born? Tampa, FL 

Where do you live now?  Chattanooga Tennessee

What was/is occupation?   Retail Worker

Kids?   How many?  3 Kids

Religion?   Episcopal

Political Standpoint?  Democrat 

Tell me about your past. What were things like when you were growing up?   It was wonderful. As a little girl we rode our bikes, played paper dolls. We swam in the pool, rode bikes, skated. We were outside a lot.

What kind of house did you grown up in? We had a very good family, and wonderful sister.

What do you know about your family’s heritage?  Robert E. Lee was my grandfather’s brother. My grandmother's dad was from Britain.  

What were your favorite toys as a child?  The paper dolls.

Tell me about the changes you have seen throughout your life and are they better or worse?  We have personal telephones now. We used to share one telephone. I am torn on if it was good, because we used to play outside a lot more. Overall the technology is better, but the way people use them could be better.

Do you think you get treated nicely as a senior and good care? How can it be better? I think that I get treated nicely. I think I am good.

If you can change anything for society, what would it be?  I would want to get rid of hatred.

Do you like the medical system here?   I think it’s good. I’ve never had a problem with it.

If you could do anything now, and money and health were not an issue, what would it be? I would love to travel again. The first place I would go is Egypt.

What age do you feel?  Mentally around 55. Physically is another story! But I feel my age and good!

Are you afraid of death?  No.

Where do you think you go when you die?  I think I will go up to Heaven with my holy maker and family.

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?  The only thing I might have changed was go back and get an education. But back then, it wasn’t as important.

Do you think the world can come together as one someday?  That’s my hope.

What is your best memory?   My best memory is the day I got married.

What was your mother like? Dad? Siblings?   My mother was wonderful. She was wonderful, kind. She was the best mom ever. My dad was an amazing dad, he made us feel safe, and was a good man.

What was your education? High school, 12th grade.

Which invention of your lifetime did you like the best?  The telephone

What is your favorite movie?  Steel Magnolia

What is your favorite meal?    Tacos

What were/are your talents? We know its not cooking or cleaning! I guess gardening.

What was your first job and how much did you make? My first job was actually at St. Joseph’s hospital. I made $1.05 an hour

Were you married and how did you meet?  I met Jim in High School.

What is your best advice to maintain a relationship?   Be thoughtful, kind, honest, and considerate. Also listen to the other person.

Would you date again or get married now?   I would not in day and age.  Once was enough for me!

What is great about getting older?  Grandchildren, Family, you gain wisdom.

What advice would you like to pass along? To live life to its fullest. Take chances in jobs. Don’t live in a safety zone. Sometimes when you stick your neck out, it'll get chopped off. But other times you will grow.

What are you most proud of? My family. 

How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered by being caring, and someone who gives to others. 

Pamela Sue Evans - Age 64

Where were you born?  Chicago, IL

Where do you live now? Versailles, MO

What was/is your occupation? Environmental Service 

Kids?  How many? 4 kids 

Religion?  Catholic

Political Standpoint?  Republican

Tell me about your past.  What were things like when you were growing up? It was safer in the city and clear what was right and wrong.  It was carefree and hitchhiking was common.

What kind of house did you grown up in? Apartment

What do you know about your family’s heritage? English, 2nd generation American

What were your favorite toys as a child? Vanity, jacks and balls, double dutch (jump rope), z-ball toy thing, marbles.

Tell me about the changes you have seen throughout your life and are they better or worse? 

Worse - the economy, attitude, and respect and politics.

Do you think you get treated nicely as a senior and good care?  More respect for elderly, so so treatment 

If you can change anything for society, what would it be?  Less or no child abuse

Do you like the medical system here? No, bad medical system because it is expensive, especially for seniors.

If you could do anything now, and money and health were not an issue, what would it be? Travel the world

What age do you feel? 50 years old

Are you afraid of death?  Not afraid of death

Where do you think you go when you die? Heaven, I hope.

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be? Better education

Do you think the world can come together as one someday?  Maybe

What is your best memory? Being with my dad and having kids.

What was your mother like?  Mother was mean.  Dad? Father was loving and gentle.  Siblings? Siblings were rowdy.

What is your education? Fun education.  Best subjects were social studies and math.

Which invention of your lifetime did you like the best? Air conditioning and colored TV

What is your favorite movie? Roadhouse

What is your favorite meal? Spaghetti

What were/are your talents? Kickball and sports

What was your first job and how much did you make? Assembling light bulbs/switches.  $3.25/hr

Were you married and how did you meet? Yes, met at a party through a friend.

interviews

Rosalie Sandahl - Age 80

Where were you born?  Des Moines, Iowa

Where do you live now? Waterloo, Iowa

What was/is occupation? Social Services, full-time mom, gardener/farmer.

Kids? How many? 3, 2 boys and 1 girl.

What did you like best about raising your kids? Hugs and kisses and listening to the wonderful things they said and watching them learn and grow.

What could you have done better with your kids?  Kept them in church and not drank or smoked.  They were constantly fighting.

Religion? Christian 

Political standpoint.  I was independent but that changed so now democrat.

Tell me about your past. What were things like when you were growing up?  I played tennis, volleyball, badmitten, softball and pool.  I was homeroom treasurer, aided school nurse and was in school plays.  I had to take care of my brothers and sisters a lot.  I was a daredevil and not afraid of anything, bossy, tomboy, got in fights.  I loved my dog, Peggy.  I talked a lot in school.  I smoked cigarettes at age 13.  I loved sports, being with friends, slumber parties, roller skating, horses, birthday parties, babysitting, went to church rallies, going to relatives farm.

What kind of house did you grown up in? A 4-bedroom house 

What were your favorite toys as a child? Dolls 

Do you think you get treated nicely as a senior and good care? No

If you can change anything for society, what would it be? Racism and sexism.  On cell phones too much and believing what tv and media says.

Do you like the medical system here? 

If you could do anything now, and money and health were not an issue, what would it be? Go to Jamaica and back to Arnold's Park with kids, grandkids and ex.

Where do you think you go when you die?  Heaven.

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be? Put God back in schools

Do you think the world can come together as one someday? Yes

What is your best memory? Being a mom

What was your mother like?    Christian, sweet, kind and pretty and a good worker.

Dad? He died when I was 3 from wound in Iwo Jima.  He was good looking and fun.

Siblings? Yes, 1/2 related, 3.

What was your education?  I started college and got pregnant.

Which invention of your lifetime did you like the best? TV

What is your favorite meal? Roast with potatoes and vegetables.

Favorite movie?  Ten Commandments, Wizard of Oz, Forrest Gump, Lion King.

What were/are your talents? Sports, helping people.

What was your first job and how much did you make? Worked on the farm.

Were you married and how did you meet? Yes, 19 in college.

What is your best advice to maintain a relationship? Love, respect, truth, faithfulness, giving, sharing all, like a lot of the same activities, same faith.

Would you date again or get married now?  No not interested.

What advice would you like to pass along?  Read the Bible, pray, forgive, don't do drugs or drink, love all, always keep learning, have fun, smile, work hard, get good night's rest, communicate with friends and family.

What are you most proud of? How would you like to be remembered? That I am an overcomer and victorious because of God.  I was a hard worker and did my best.

interviews

Ray - Age 63

Where were you born?  Alloway, NJ

Where do you live now? Tampa, FL

What was/is occupation? Pharmaceuticals. Retired and works as a pontoon boat captain.

Kids? How many? 2, my dad and uncle 

Religion? Christian 

Political Standpoint?  Republican.

Tell me about your past. What were things like when you were growing up?  Lived in a rougher part of New Jersey, underfunded school, and parents didn’t speak the languages.  Life has had it’s ups and downs, but we moved a lot as a kid. I also struggled with being on my own a lot, as my parents lack of English gave me some (unnecessary) early freedom.

What kind of house did you grown up in?  A small, 1 story family home, with 7 other members.

What is your background?  Moved here from Italy through Ellis Island, around the 1930’s

What were your favorite toys as a child? Didn’t have much, but enjoyed some (now) vintage matchbox cars.

Do you think you get treated nicely as a senior and good care? I think seniors are well cared for. Good pensions, discounts, and nice retirement community. Though the government is a bit spotty with help.

If you can change anything for society, what would it be? Slow down a lot of the new technologies, too much too fast.

What age do you feel?  50s, life feels like a blur looking back. Feels shorter than it really was.

Do you like the medical system here? Was well taken care of with my heart issues and obesity, and also had good healthcare from my employer.

If you could do anything now, and money and health were not an issue, what would it be? Travel more often and find something fulfilling. 

Are you afraid of death?  No, it’s a natural part of life. Impending death gives life meaning and worth.

Where do you think you go when you die? Heaven

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?  Meet my wife[terry]earlier on.

Do you think the world can come together as one someday? World becomes more unified everyday, seems most likely 

What is your best memory? My wedding by far, happiest day of my life.

What was your mother like?  Wasn’t really prominent in my life. Never gave a lot of focus on me, had a lot of siblings to divide her attention away.  

What was your education?  Masters degree, studied biology 

Which invention of your lifetime did you like the best? Can’t think of a good answer

What is your favorite meal?  Baked ziti my parents used to make.

Favorite movie?  The Bad News Bears

What were/are your talents? Used to sail and fish a lot, pretty good

What was your first job and how much did you make? Hauled boxes for a shipping company, loaded it into the trucks out in the heat. $3.50 per hour (jeez)

Were you married and how did you meet? I am married, we met in college.

What is your best advice to maintain a relationship? The women is always right (😂)

What advice would you like to pass along?  Less responsibility, more time to find passions you love.  Do what you love doing, don’t just do some random crap because it pays well.

What are you most proud of? My family

How would you like to be remembered? Being a good friend, and a good family member.

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