For Some Seniors, Raising Kids Can Help Raise Spirits
(ARA) - Are today’s senior citizens healthier and wealthier than yesterday’s? A recent study from the U.S. Census Bureau says yes. According to the report, “65+ in the United States: 2005,” older Americans as a whole have never been in better shape economically or physically. But what about emotionally? Just because we age well, how well do we really feel deep down inside?
Beverly is a 76 year-old widow in Virginia who seems to have it all in place: a beautiful home, a secure income and a clean bill of health. Still, she says, without family nearby she’s often lonely. “On the one hand, you’re really proud that you’ve raised children who are happy and successful, but on the other, when you’re home alone in your little blue chair, you really do miss the hustle and bustle of those early days.”
For three elderly sisters in Michigan, the hustle and bustle of child rearing never ends -- and that’s exactly the way the “Spicer” sisters like it. Julia Patterson, Florence Wallace and Geneva Coney, all in their late seventies, have been foster mothers to dozens of children over the past 18 years. Julia says having foster children keeps them young. “Only I never call them foster children,” she says. “They’re my children. The minute they step foot in this house, they’re my sons and daughters. They’re each other’s brothers and sisters. If I’m taking a vacation, my children come, too. Always.”
The Spicers are part of a special foster care program in Michigan managed for the state by Starr Commonwealth, a child and family services charity that has been in operation for nearly 100 years. Headquartered in Albion, Mich., Starr Commonwealth specializes in the treatment of troubled youth and operates a variety of programs to help struggling youngsters rebuild their damaged self-esteem through a “strength-based” treatment philosophy that looks for the good in every child. In addition to foster care programs in Michigan and Ohio, Starr also operates residential treatment centers, two private pay therapeutic boarding schools, plus community based programs that help young people learn to live responsibly on their own.
Julia and her sisters have seen the success of Starr’s philosophy played out in the lives of countless children. Julia remembers James, her first foster child. “When James first came he would just eat and eat and eat and drink up all the juice, glass after glass,” she says. Worried that something was physically wrong with the boy, Julia took him to the doctor. After an examination, the doctor told Julia to go ahead and let James have as much as he wanted, but just make sure he knew he had to drink a glass of water for every glass of juice he drank. It wasn’t long before James learned to control his thirst. “He was really just hungry and thirsty for someone to love him and care for him,” says the wise Julia.
“Mookie” is another success story. The recent college graduate was a troubled young boy when he came to live with Julia in the seventh grade. She was quick to recognize his potential as a student and an athlete, especially in football. Did Julia attend many games? “Every single one of them,” she laughs.
When Julia had a stroke in 1996, it was Mookie who drove her to her doctor’s appointments. “He’d even carry my pocketbook and wouldn’t be ashamed like you’d think a young boy would be,” she recalls.
The bonds that are created here will last a lifetime, the sisters say. “They never leave us,” says Julia who adds that sitting home alone in a rocking chair is not her idea of living. “Too much going on to do that.”
Starr Commonwealth is a child and family services organization with nearly a century of experience in treating troubled youth and their families. For more information about Starr Commonwealth, The Montcalm School or the No Disposable Kids (NDK) training program to help build healthy school environments, call (800) 837-5591 or visit their Web sites at www.starr.org or www.ndk.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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