This past month, I have had the pleasure of conversing with some senior citizens. I am working on a project with a local non profit organization called LIFE ElderCare. LIFE ElderCare gives services to seniors to assist them in living independently — and happily — in their homes. The senior citizens I am interviewing are current clients of LIFE ElderCare. I ask them questions from childhood memories to career accomplishments. They share with me special moments from their life, praising their personal successes or describing big societal changes. I thought I would just leave with their stories locked into my phone recorder. But each time I walked away more inspired to, cliche as it may sound, live my life to the fullest. I am going to share two seniors' stories and what I learned listening to their life experiences.

I visited a lady, Enis, on her 100th birthday. When I asked her what was one of the happiest moments she remembered from her life, she replied they were all happy. She couldn't stop smiling. She grew up in a small community in the Bay Area and has lived there her whole life. At 15, she worked at a bakery for $6 a month! (That wouldn't even buy a cake now!) It was such a pleasurable time talking to her. She still laughs a lot, and she reminded me to live a happy life. She surrounds herself with people who make her happy and who she could make happy in return. I think part of the reason she is happy is because she has done good in her life--good deeds. Her father was proud to find good in what his children did. As I was about to leave, she said to me: Use your head whatever you do; don’t do frivolous things. I left thinking, who knew I would learn so much from a 100-year old lady?

Another client I visited was ninety-one year old Billy Selak. He was born in Kansas and came to California by plane in 1926 when he was one year old. He hates flying, but he loves planes — he even built planes from scratch. Billy was a part of the entertainment industry. He played piano and accordion in numerous bands, befriending stars such as Shirley Temple, Tony Bennett, and Jack Haley. He performed at concert halls, country clubs, and weddings. He also aired on channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 11, and 13 at the San Francisco Studios. As he exclaimed, “where they needed music, I did it.”

Currently Billy lives in the Bay Area, where he still masters his accordion-playing skills. He treasures his accordion, and he even played six songs for me. He deeply treasures his musical recordings and marvels over his 13 scrapbooks filled with photos of his successful musical career, including a photo of Linda Evans signed, “Billy, a Charming Man. Love Linda.” Music played a tremendous role in Billy’s life, and it is his music that continues to keep him happy. He reminded me to do things that make me happy. Billy was such a charismatic and talkative man. He could go on and on and on talking about his concerts and venues. I’ve never met someone — especially at his age — who is still so incredibly passionate about his music. His high spirit and enthusiasm showed me that as I grow older, I don’t have to give up what I enjoy.

I am always so excited to talk with a senior. I already go in wondering what new insight I will take away from them. It makes my day when I realize that I have made their day. As they do not get out much, they are thrilled when I come to visit and talk with them. I like to think that I am helping to break any stereotypes of what old people are like. Senior citizens like to have fun, too. They like to talk, be active, and make others happy.