| Every day you and I talk with a senior citizen | | | | The frown he wore when I first visited began to |
| who has a different slant on what they are | | | | change to smiles. But he was even happier that |
| looking for in the twilight of their years. At a time | | | | we had become friends. I would take him out to |
| in life when the things you thought mattered | | | | dinner, we went to breakfast, we went to lunch, |
| really don't, you come full circle to finding out | | | | we spent hours and hours watching TV until ten |
| what your real needs are. Every one of us has | | | | o'clock in the evening. And then he would beg me |
| come across a senior friend who needs more | | | | not to leave. Mostly Charlie liked to talk. He was |
| than we can sometimes give. But we all realize it's | | | | as sharp as a tack, the sharpest elder I have |
| important to be there, to listen, to care. That is, if | | | | seen in many years. I started visiting Charlie |
| doing what we do is more than a job, if it's a | | | | every day, so often that my husband became a |
| mission. | | | | Reverse Mortgage widower! And then even my |
| What is the heart of the Reverse Mortgage | | | | husband visited Charlie! At 93 years old, Charlie |
| industry? What are we really looking to | | | | had less years to live than we did. We were |
| accomplish? This story is about what it's meant | | | | always conscious of that fact. Charlie's mom lived |
| for me to come alongside a senior friend who has | | | | well into her late 90's, and we were certain Charlie |
| less time left in life than we do. Many of us have | | | | might hit 100. |
| stories just like this. I share this with you, my | | | | Spending time with Charlie became more |
| readers, in the hopes that all of us who do these | | | | enjoyable. Each time I'd take Charlie to dinner he' |
| loans will have a deeper understanding of what | | | | d say "But I should be taking you to dinner!" My |
| this business can mean to just one person, the | | | | answer was simple: "When I invite you out to |
| person you may meet tomorrow, the person you | | | | dinner, I pay!" Charlie was unkempt, he didn't |
| may never see again. | | | | always dress right, his clothes didn't match, but I |
| Growing up on Long Island, I have memories of | | | | was always proud to be around him. Charlie |
| my aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Back then | | | | became my mission in life, one more person to |
| things were very different. The cost of living | | | | help, one more person to give a little joy to |
| didn't choke you. It seems we respected our | | | | before the twilight of their years became sunset. |
| elders much more than society does today. As I | | | | In his own inimitable way, Charlie would say, "I like |
| interacted with my grandparents, they seemed | | | | you. You like me. I think we'll get along!" |
| secure. Not rich, just secure. Their life seemed | | | | In my nearly six years of meeting seniors, I have |
| carefree and stress free. My grandparents were | | | | found one thread, one thing my senior friends |
| welcomed into the homes of my aunts and uncles | | | | want, not to be alone--- to have friends and |
| to live there as they aged. I marvel at the great | | | | family that need them. |
| respect we had for our elders. Somehow, in | | | | In my daily visits to Charlie, he showed his |
| America, many cast off their elders with a wink | | | | appreciation by saying the sweetest things which |
| and a nod, and the appreciation for their rich | | | | I shall never forget. "How can I ever repay you? |
| history just isn't there. | | | | I'm so glad you're here. You really made my day!" |
| The stress of daily living in the 21st century has | | | | One day I walked through the front door of |
| caused many of us to rush around and forget | | | | Charlie's house, and Charlie grinned. In his typically |
| what is right in front of us. We who come in | | | | gruff voice he said, "I need to call a carpenter to |
| contact with the senior community are in the | | | | cut a hole in my ceiling." I was puzzled. "Why, |
| unique position of interacting with the most | | | | Charlie? Do you want to put a skylight in?" He |
| interesting people who have the best stories to | | | | answered, "No. I need a carpenter to cut a hole in |
| tell. | | | | the ceiling because when you walk through that |
| Being in the senior industry, I know that a senior | | | | door, the heavens open up and the angels come |
| citizen with one-on-one daily in-home care along | | | | down." It nearly brought me to tears. |
| with a Reverse Mortgage to help pay for it can | | | | Here was a man who wanted company so badly, |
| help a senior citizen remain in community with all | | | | who so appreciated spending time with someone |
| their friends, stay in familiar surroundings, and | | | | so much, even if they only had the title: Reverse |
| perhaps live a longer life. Nosocomial infections | | | | Mortgage Specialist. Just a Reverse Mortgage |
| aren't there in their home to attack them. And | | | | specialist? That's all? We are so much more. |
| let's face it, who can argue that a home cooked | | | | Each time I heard words from Charlie, I thought |
| meal tastes much better than in a facility. Now, to | | | | to myself: "Here we are. We talk about helping |
| the point of my story. | | | | our community. We talk about community service. |
| I'd like to tell you about my friend Charlie. Charlie | | | | Yet we have the opportunity right in front of us |
| was an interesting 93 year old senior, born in | | | | to serve by serving our senior population. The |
| 1914, who I met through a Reverse Mortgage | | | | people who made America great. One day I |
| postcard program. His gruff voice on the phone | | | | couldn't fulfill my daily visit, so I invited Charlie to |
| masked his true gregarious personality. When I | | | | come with me on my run to Kohl's, Verizon, and |
| met Charlie for the first time, his family was | | | | beyond. "Okay. I'll go." I lifted Charlie's wheelchair |
| curiously absent. Instead, his caring neighbor was | | | | into my car. I could get things done quicker if I |
| there to check me out. Charlie later told me the | | | | could whiz Charlie around the stores rather than |
| story of how he wasn't very nice to his children | | | | he use his cane. At the Verizon store, Charlie |
| years before. But it was such a long time ago. | | | | touched me on the shoulder. He was going to |
| Apologies were made--- all to no avail. | | | | wait in the car for me. I will never forget the |
| Grandchildren and children were not visiting Charlie | | | | words he spoke that day: |
| anymore. This made him very sad. His neighbors | | | | "Don't fly too fast. You might break your wings." |
| took their places and made sure Charlie was given | | | | This time I did cry. And do you know what? |
| the provisions he needed. They cleaned his house. | | | | Maybe that's what it takes. |
| They took him shopping. They visited him twice a | | | | I like to think that those short months we spent |
| day. One neighbor across the street served | | | | together were as sweet for Charlie as they were |
| Charlie delicious home cooked meals while he sat | | | | for me. I thought I'd have more years with |
| in her kitchen and enjoyed her baby. Other days | | | | Charlie. For sure, his neighbors thought so too. |
| he'd sit at the local body shop and chat with the | | | | Now, I picture Charlie just as I remember him. |
| guys to quench his loneliness. | | | | And that he is not flying too fast either. |
| Charlie got his Reverse Mortgage. Was he happy! | | | | |