Two and a half years ago my husband Adam and I were inspired by a movie called “Assisted Living” featuring real residents of an elderly assisted living facility. After the movie we talked about how we “should” visit old people. Another thing on the “should” list.
The next day I saw a listing in the weekly paper for volunteers to spend time with seniors through the State of Oregon Ombudsman Program. This was clearly a sign from the universe that we could not ignore. So we stopped “shoulding” and took action. We were interviewed and trained by other volunteers and we are now official volunteers. Our only job is to elevate loneliness with seniors 4 hours a month.
We were quickly matched up with a facility very close to our home and the activities director paired us with the resident that she thought would most benefit from our visits.
Well…..our lives have never been the same since we met our beloved Cynthia. Cynthia is 102 years old and she is the funniest person we know. If you tell her that she looks nice she looks around her pockets for a quarter to give you. She calls me “mumma”. She calls Adam “big boy”, and she calls herself an “old bag.” Cynthia is also famous amongst the other residents for her “colorful language” and her catch phrase, “you betcha”!
One of the first things she told us when we first met her in 2006 was that she liked animals and people too. We have come to learn that she probably likes animals more than people. Cynthia and I both love to look at animal books and make animal sounds together. Cynthia can do a mean owl and you wouldn’t want to mess with her when she does her dog growl, seriously.
I could write so much more about our dear friend but I will just tell you that it is true that when you give - you get more in return.
At 102, Cynthia has outlived every person she knew throughout her life. We are the only people that visit her. She is our family and we are hers. 
I have been a working artist my entire adult life.