Miss Mo (Chickens)

Ever wonder how Little Miss Mo (Missouri) got her name?  Not what you might think…

Having lived in cities almost all my life, I always wonder how it is like to live on a farm. Here is a bittersweet and very funny peek I don’t think I would get anywhere else… oh, Miss Mo!!

Missouri Grier
3.15.2012
Chickens

Missouri was the name of my chicken.  My mother raised chickens in the back yard. 

Everyone had a chicken in the household.  When their chicken was to be sacrificed, we would have a little party.  I was happy at all the parties but my own.  I cried and my mother hugged me and I was sad for a week.

My aunt bought me another one.

Gloria (Magic Circle)

A simple thought occurred to me on my 32nd birthday yesterday, and it made me happy. My senior buds' stories aren't just about being old. But about ALL of life's experiences. The thought reminds me of this story which “Daughter” wrote a few weeks ago. For those of you newer to the blog, Gloria is actually close in age to me, and my buds and I all call her “Daughter” because she always, and always lovingly, accompanies Aileen, whom we all call “Mommy, to class.

Gloria Washington
6.14.2012
Magic Circle

Every time I sit at the oval table in our sun drenched, book laden room I am transported.

The myriad voices enthrall me.  Tales of history, pathos, and ingenuity…Nuggets of golden stories I would never know of otherwise. 

Secrets of the entertainment business, Philly’s diverse ethnic stories from the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s are offered as well as true moments of accomplishment from my fellow literary travelers.  I am in awe and silenced.  I think about these stories often while traversing the city or in quiet moments alone. 

They move me and make me think.  I am adding a new dimension to my “lens” on the cities multi-ethnic neighborhoods. 

Sometimes the musings are quite cerebral, a nod to my fellow theatre member.  Other times they are funny, poignant, who knew these things about Atlantic City?

Each voice carries weight.  Separately they are strong reminders of our past.  Together they are a unified crescendo of what makes this city and country great.

And hovering incandescently is the fairy that facilitates it all.

I am honored to be a part of this ritual of words.

Loretta (Progress)

Madi and Loretta, summer 2010

Madi and Loretta, summer 2012

Hey everyone, hope you had a good Fourth yesterday!

July 4th means summer break is in full swing. And summer break means visitors of all ages, including our teens, are back in our classroom to listen to our seniors’ stories! Yay!

What makes me the happiest is seeing the same teens return. Did you know that our program has been in existence through 3 summers, and Madi has been with us for every single one of them?

First, in 2010, Madi joined us as a visitor, taking the train all the way from the suburbs. Then, in 2011, as our teen intern and lead blogger for our satellite class (www.ourbestdaysofar.com). And now, in 2012, as a full-fledged core volunteer, taking up a whole range of responsibilities: organizing our thousands of seniors’ stories by theme (so you all can one day search them on an interactive website... stay tuned for more on that...!!), helping our program reach out to even more teens, in Philly and beyond, and assisting me at our original class – where she and I first met and where she will always belong.

Like the good old days, Madi handwrites Loretta’s stories for her – it is hard for Loretta to hold a pen for the length of a page because of her arthritis.

Loretta Gaither
6.14.2012
Progress

A funny thing happened today when I came to the center. My train malfunctioned and I was the only person on the train. I went to the store to get some snacks. After that someone tried to rob me – but I used my cane to fend him off. Yesterday I found out that the social worker is going to try to make me homeless again, but I will not let it happen. I have faith because I know that God will help me find a new apartment. I will keep on praying because I know that God has my back. They can’t stop my progress – I will get back into housing.

Click Here for Madi’s reflections as a visitor, including the impact of Loretta's stories on her life.

Click Here for Madi's reflections as our intern and satellite blogger.

Thank you Madi  – your commitment is an inspiration to us all!

Jasmine (Ms. Benita’s Summer Assistant’s Story)

Ready, set, go - get ready to melt! And I don't just mean the 80+ degree weather. 10-year-old Jasmine, whom you all met a few months ago Here on Youtube, is back as - yup - my lil' summer assistant! ;) No joke btw, she really does help me pass out pens, paper and snacks, and stays after to straighten out the classroom!

Well, last week she told me she wanted to try a story where reality meets fairy tale. I melted right then, then melted some more when she read her story out loud to the seniors.

Stay tuned as we hear from other not-so-little visitors… including our teens!! Yay - best part about summer break!

Jasmine Bright
6.21.2012
Ms. Benita’s Summer Assistant’s Story

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Jasmine.  Jasmine would come to the Philadelphia Senior Center every Thursday because her dad works there, and she is Ms. Benita’s summer assistant.  Jasmine would give out snacks and write stories and get along with other people in her class.  Jasmine loves the Philadelphia Senior Center because there is so much to do there and she is a volunteer.  It’s almost like she works there for a part time job.  The last time Jasmine came to the Senior Center was because it was “Take Your Child to Work” day.  Maybe when Jasmine grows up, she can work at the Senior Center.  Jasmine’s father (Dominic) says this is a good experience for her because some kids just like to sit at home and watch TV.  Well, Jasmine is not that kind of girl. Jasmine is an intelligent girl who loves to help people.  This is the end of Benita’s summer assistant’s story.  See you next time.

6 Year Anniv + Story Letter No. 1!

Friends - 6 years ago TODAY I made a call to my grandma that changed my life and inspired a global story movement. And today, our team rolled out the first issue of our Story Letter. The theme? Friendship! Please click Here to subscribe, share and celebrate with us!!

Robert (Over the Years)

So… it is my birthday again, soon, in July! I am so glad I hang out with my senior buds because suddenly I am turning 32 and I know I should be feeling old-er, but my rowdy buds just say I am finally becoming a teenager, so that is how my personality will always be, I guess! And you know what, I do feel simultaneously 13, 32, and a “young senior” like one of them. Sort of feels like an entire lifetime in one instant. Which I know is because of being around them. And living and breathing their full spectrum of life stories. And I like it that way!

Click Here to remember the day they began calling me a young senior – to me it is the absolute highest honor.

Robert Mitchell
5.24.2012
Over the Years

In the 1950s
As a toddler, adolescent, growing up being taught by my mother, respect, discipline, and responsibilities.

In the 1960s
Trying to find my identity in life as a teenager in to which direction my life will lead me, high school, college, the military, or trade school.

In the 1970s
Out of the Military, dating scene, courting, marriage, children, family, the years to grow up and be a man, father, role model, and to take responsibility of being a family guy, bread winner, provider, protector.

In the 1980s
Separated from family, out on my own, single, lonely, confused, looking for a new sense of direction-entertainment a gift, a talent, a people person – music led me to another world so I became an after hour club D.J. and later on I turned my musical talent into becoming a Party Jock for Hire – to perform my musical talent at parties, weddings, cabarets, house parties.

In the 1990s
To give back to my children for whom I wasn’t there for them when they were growing up, more time to spend with me while they become young adults. High school, proms, graduation, college, trade school, the work force, family of their own.

In the 2000s
Winding down the years of working to prepare myself for the future, the next level in which I will take in my life, in which direction I will go, to leave memories behind for people to always remember me by.

In the 2010s
Time on my hands now that I retire, a man of leisure, nowhere to go, what to do next, my life has changed 360 degrees since I joined the Philadelphia Senior Center and of all the days at the center Thursday is my favorite because it gives me the opportunity to be myself again.  I have to write and I have to remember the memories.