by Manjit Handa
When we look around in our neighborhood, we find several old people or more appropriately the senior citizens who we run into on the sidewalks or maybe in the bus sitting serenely by the window seat. The thought that sometimes would come in the mind of a younger citizen is that I would grow old like that woman or that man. When you look at Helen Wood you would want to grow into a senior just like her. Graceful, content with no regrets. A long, healthy and fulfilling life.
Born on December 7, 1918 Helen lived up on the mountain of Hamilton (Ontario, Canada) all her life. Her first husband, an alcoholic, died when she was only forty. Ten years later she was remarried but lost her husband again who died of a stroke. She had one brother and sister and both of them, including her mother died of cancer.
"You get out of life what you put into it [do not] sit back and bemoan”. “I don’t think there is ever perfection in life."
That is when she thought that it was her turn next. Her three daughters, married already, she was now left with her son who never got married and still keeps her good company.
Trained for an office position, after high school until about age 65 she was in a secretarial job which she enjoyed thoroughly but dejected and grim after the loss of so many of her family members she was wondering what to make of the so called future. So she went on to see her doctor, Mr. O’ Sullivan who inspired her to go on in life. She had worked all her life, tended to her family but now was the time to think about a different and interesting pastime. That is when she walked up to the nearby Senior’s Center which was the perfect choice and “salvation” according to her. She started exercise classes, tap dancing and Hawaiian dance.
Unfortunately soon she got a pinch nerve in the back due to which her doctor advised her to stop dance classes immediately. Just as luck would have it, McMaster University called the Senior’s Center looking for an appropriate candidate for the position of a Senior Class Assistant. Helen responded and got the job. Ever since she has been working in the same position in the Department of Gerontology and the current year is the 14th one going. But she did not stop exercising altogether. Now days she has taken to easy chair exercises at the same Senior Center.
Still in good shape, Helen insists she never went on any kind of weight loss diet. Fond of chicken and hamburgers, she eats meat, lots of fresh vegetable and fruit and is a regular at Swiss Chalet and Tim Horton’s; the secret is, she never overdoes her meals.
Helen’s "memory" is remarkable which can be derived from the fact that she is an active member and actor of the group called ‘Autumn Leaves’ that is directed towards staging humorous skits at various Senior’s Centers around the province. She is also tied to Mohawk College where she is the member of ‘Studies in Aging Advisory Committee’ that look into the current issues related to the Senior citizens.
She prays twice a day and enjoys the simple joys of life like watching her grand children develop and grow. She is also a big fan of Lawn Tennis and American Politics (because it is more exciting!). Reminiscing the good old days, she feels glad that she is “not raising a family today”.
Life as she would sum up:
“You get out of life what you put into it [do not] sit back and bemoan”. “I don’t think there is ever perfection in life”.
Recommendation for fellow seniors:
“Stay active and enjoy what you are doing”.
Message to the younger generation:
“Keep going strong, taking one day at a time”.
When you look at Helen at 86 years of age today you begin to believe that old age is a myth and it’s all in the mind after all.
Stay healthy, have a healthy/constructive preoccupation and stay young!
