by Christian Schreiber, Staff Blogger
"Never regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." These are the first words Marilyn greeted me with when I entered her apartment at Village Woods, the Providence retirement community in Crete, Illinois. Marilyn is 93 years old and has lived at Village Woods for 23 years, longer than anyone else. She is colorful and pleasant, with an unmistakable voice. The stashes of Keebler snack packs and bottled Frappuccinos give away her love for sweets, but she is generous and offers me refreshments throughout our conversation.
Looking at the old photographs and news clippings posted on Marilyn's walls, it's clear that Marilyn has always been a character. A diminutive dynamo with big hair, big glasses, and flowery dresses, she poses with politicians — and they are the ones who fade into the background. She shows me the birthday cards that George W. Bush sent her — and I wonder how the President of the United States knows this 93-year-old Assisted Living resident is a Mark Grace fan.
I had a wonderful visit with this funny little lady, and I wanted you to meet her too. There's no profound life lesson in today's blog, no moral of the story. I'll just keep it short and sweet. Like Marilyn.
