Now I am a senior – again! Time was when someone my age would be considered “elderly”, but now we are seniors and it is much more dignified. I was a senior twice before, in high school and in college. But, at that phase of my life, time seemed to stretch far into the future, almost to infinity. And, the abundance of time seemed to offer limitless possibilities of activities and adventures.
Now that the future is here, my time is much shorter. My advanced years must be considered when choosing activities and adventures to pursue. After over thirty years of teaching at BGSU, retirement seemed bleak; lacking the stimulus and rejuvenation offered daily through contact with younger people. For me, a rewarding hobby, community theater, still offered an enjoyable and rewarding leisure time activity. In retirement, all time is leisure; finding fulfillment and interest in daily life is more of a challenge than it was during my professional career.
At first, I resisted going to the Senior Center because I felt that surrounding myself with old people (like myself) would be a bore. However, when I finally overcame my misconceptions, I found the Senior Center provided an environment filled with lively and engaging fellow seniors. I found it to be my ”home-away-from-home” without the responsibility of keeping it neat and clean for visitors.
The Senior Center staff is very caring, professional and competent. They develop and coordinate a variety of activities geared to the needs of seniors. My leisure time is filled with activities that entertain, educate, and enhance my health and well-being. Moreover, an outstanding nutritional program provides great meals served at a nominal cost and I don’t have to wash the dishes.
There are also professionals ready to help seniors with problems unique to them. It has been said that a measure of society can be taken in the manner in which that society cares for its older citizens. If that is true, the people of Wood County have demonstrated its concern for its seniors (or elderly) remarkably by supporting the Wood County Committee on Aging (WCCOA) for the past several decades.
WCCOA is seeking support through your vote to renew the 0.7 mill Senior Services levy. It has made a great and positive impact on my life. Your vote will enhance the lives of your grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, and your neighbors, providing enrichment and fulfillment in their “senior” years.
Willard Misfeldt, Ph.D.
Bowling Green
