A Nonagenarian with More Spunk than a GenX-er
I was wondering what drew me to the story about a 91 year old woman who still volunteers within her community, and the story of her life. After reading it, I realized there are SO many things that connected me to Mrs. Thelma E. Burton and her story.
- Whatever it Takes - She didn't let the fact that her husband was illiterate stop her from helping him get ahead in his work. She helped him to do what needed to be done. That's true partnership.
- It Ain't Always About Me - She volunteers five days a week! I'm sure that she knows that what she does is needed. When we get out of our own heads, we realize that at any age, any income level, there are others who can appreciate and use what we have to give.
- Youth is Ageless - While Mrs. Burton could have chosen to live with her sons or daughters, she chose to live with her granddaughter. Why? Because she doesn't want to live like an old lady. I'm sure that her spirit understands and connects with the vitality and limitlessness that youth brings.
- The Universe Provides - Whether we have a faith, belief system, or religion, when we're in a time of need, as long as we verbalize the need, people (and even money!) will come to the rescue. She wanted a good home for her children, she told her employer, and BOOM - the money for her home appeared.
- Losing Someone Who Hid Their Pain - Her husband thought that he had to shoulder pain, worry alone. Therefore, Mrs. Burton didn't know he was sick until it was too late, and she lost him.
I'd like to take a moment to share with you the importance of the last point, because I know it is the reason why I am here on this planet. The picture you see above is one of me and my oldest brother, Tony Jefferies. Our family and community lost him to a battle with cancer of the liver in February of 2011. I'm sure that his illness did not appear suddenly, but was an accumulation of complications due to stress, emotional challenges, and that weight that most of us carry on a daily basis. Less than a month later, we almost lost another brother, Bryan due to health complications. I am glad to say that after a holistic detox program (we're talking about letting go of mental, emotional, spiritual and physical stresses), Bryan is now healthier than ever!
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