EVA
EVA
Eva is 80 years young. She was born in Missouri, moved to Indiana in 1940, and returned to Missouri in 1969. She has been a widow for many years. Her husband died at age 49. She has one son.Mornings find Eva at the local senior center, where she works from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Then she plays cards, dominos, or -- as she says, "I just play whatever games they have going on any given day." She says she is no longer a traveler. "Not any more. I don't fly well these days, because of health problems." She does, however, attend church regularly. Asked what makes her feel good about what she does, Eva replied, "I enjoy people." But when asked what made her feel bad about what she does, she said, "I don't feel bad about what I do. In fact, I don't think I feel bad about anything!"
How did she get involved at the senior center? "Well, I went up one day after having read their [lunch] menu in the paper. It sounded good. There were lots of people I knew there. I started playing cards, and before long I was working and involved with sewing projects." Eva stays involved there because, she says, "When you live alone you need to stay involved with people. I only belong to the Eagles Lodge. I've had lots of operations and have overcome them. But I need to keep in touch with others. My sister lives next door, and that helps. We visit a lot and she's a lot of company to me."
"I tell jokes and talk!" was her response to a question of what was really her. "I can't sing or dance, but I can sure talk!" Her family, her church, and her friends are among the things that mean the most to Eva. "I have 4 brothers and 3 sisters living, and nieces and nephews - and I dearly love them all." What would Eva wish to tell others about successful aging? "Just keep busy, keep your mind occupied, and don't worry."
When asked why others would refer to her as aging successfully, she said, "Probably because I've been a busy person all my life." What about genetics versus planning or preparation for old age? "It's part genetic, of course. I have one sister who is 85, and one brother is 82 - and the youngest is a sister, aged 60. I'm short and large; I have two new knees and no gall bladder; I've had a hysterectomy and a heart valve replacement. But I've taken it as good as possible."
How would Eva cope with or adapt to a challenge? "I'm not a worry wart," she said, "I try not to [worry]. Whatever will be will be. I don't walk away from problems, either; I stand my ground."
When asked what she did when things were not going quite the way she'd expected them to, Eva replied, "I try to talk to those involved if it's worth it. There's always somebody who can tick you off." And when she is feeling down or 'blue', what then? "I'm not really a "blue" person, first of all. My mom said I could talk my way out of a paper bag. But if I am a little let down, I usually work crossword puzzles, or talk with my sister next door."
What about advance preparation for successful aging? "No, I never made enough money to do that. I just always paid my own bills. My husband had very little insurance when he died. I've worked all my life."
When asked about the adequacy of her money for the things she really wants to do, Eva said, "Since I'm past the age of traveling I have an adequate income. I don't save anything, but I do manage to keep going. I don't fret and stew." She is a former member of the Eastern Star, but the Eagles Lodge is her only organizational involvement these days.
Eva spent 25 years working as a waitress, and then went to beauty school. The rest of her employment years were spent as a beautician. While her employers didn't offer any formal training, Eva says, "Working in the public I quickly found out I either had to keep my mouth shut or be prepared to fight. So, I learned to get along."
During her working years, most of Eva's friends were work-related. She sees herself today as a: "Pretty happy person. I don't sit around and worry, cry, or feel sorry for myself." She described herself as "a pretty good 'sitter'," and said she watches quite a bit of TV during the winter. She prefers quiz shows, cross-word puzzles, and good classic movies.
Finally, when asked if she would do anything differently if she were given a second chance to live her life, Eva replied "No, I don't think so." After thinking about the question for a minute, she added, "I may have gone on to college."