Retiring Retirement
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It takes a little longer to do good
ighty-eight year old Ellen Hart“The first hour is a bible study, then mann says that she still does a arts and crafts, then chair dance, lunch, lot of things but, “They just all and, when the kids come in the afternoon take a little longer.” we play games, hit balls and things like that. They literally have a ball. It’s fun,” she And yet, if every person were to give of herself like this retiree, the world would says. be longer on service. Hartmann’s lovable pug isn’t the only one who gravitates toward the seOne of the highlights of her niors. The church also sponsors week is her work as a volunteer a pre-K day care, and it’s a at her church’s adult day Ellen Hartmann volunteers at an adult day care by natural marriage to occacare program, where a at her church where the pre-K students will sionally bring the children come by to sing Happy Birthday to their elders. half dozen seniors with and elders together. dementia get her full car radios,” she said. “Even during the attention along with that “The 3- and 4-yearwinter, we went. Of course, they had loudof her pug, Little Girl – olds come over and play speakers if you wanted to roll down your an elder herself at 112 in children’s Bingo and windows. Our congregation grew during doggie-years. they will do arts and crafts together,” she says. “When old COVID because we could be trusted.” “She’s our mascot,” HartBesides her active lifestyle, Hartmann people have a birthday, the kids mann says. “She’s blind and deaf, is always stretching herself … literally. Her come in and sing, ‘Happy Birthday.’ You but she still comes with me. If a senior is yoga-in-the-park classes are a twice-weekly should see the seniors’ faces light up. But irritable or wants to get up and walk away, priority, and it helps with her line dancing before the little ones go home, they insist we bring Little Girl to them and she calms because that requires her to be limber on petting Little Girl.” them right down.” enough for the Latin, tango and other surHer involvement with her church The adult day care atmosphere is so prise selections that her instructor throws never waned during the pandemic. She welcoming that many caregivers abandon at the class. invaluable respite that could be spent run- went every week and listened to her pastor Her fitness also allows her to tackle her ning errands or relaxing in favor of staying from her car in the church parking lot as 2-acre grass-cutting on her riding mower. he preached from an outdoor stage. and spending time at the church with “My son and kids helps me with the their loved ones. People of all faiths attend. “His sermons were broadcast into our
Robert LaCosta
house, though,” she concedes. And it’s not all-work-and-no-play, as she gets a lot of playtime in with her many great-grandchildren. “We don’t have iPad’s when they are here,” she said. “We play.” She discourages a life that revolves solely around a computer – and not just for kids. “Some seniors sit around on their computers all day and don’t get out,” she said. Such a sedentary life is not for her. Her downtime is more likely to involved knitting hats, sweaters, blankets and whatever anyone needs. “You’ve got to get out there,” she advises fellow seniors. “There’s a lot to do and many people to serve and be friendly towards.” Whether it’s the community or her family or friends, most people reap the rewards of her love and service and never even notice that everything “just takes a little longer.” “Portals to Heaven” is Robert J. LaCosta’s free daily devotional. Get it every weekday morning in your email by writing norepcom@gmail.com.
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