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.