was a line of computers along the table and in circle tables, people occupying the computers and laptops, and a desk where Lonnie worked at. He greeted us and we went right into the interview after sitting down and explaining to him what we were doing. He was shy to tell us about himself at first, but we were more comfortable with each other with each visit. Soon, he was comfortable enough with us to paint with us while voluntarily telling him of his stories. He made an effort to continue the project with us, and throughout it, he was friendly. He also tried to give us advice, to which we were happy to hear. As well as meeting Lonnie, there were many other seniors that I saw. Someone proudly sang a treasured song to the whole room. Another person awkwardly started speaking to us, telling us that he was only talking to us to hear his own thoughts, and telling us that he was only speaking because that is what “old people do”. I also remember the woman who announced that the members of her group helped her use the Internet, and said that she had had bad experiences meeting men that she thought was her future love. These things were new and unexpected, and I did not know seniors were this open and spontaneous. As well as being open and spontaneous, they were very out of tune with our generation. Lonnie, our senior partner, wanted to learn how to use a cell phone and did not have one. Many of the other seniors wanted to learn how to use other sorts of technology like computers and the Internet, as listed on their interests on most of the sign up papers. Instead, they had different things growing up. Their experiences of drive‐in‐movies or being drafted into a war were things I had only heard about. Each senior was different, and maybe had even more complicated personalities than of people my age. They have lived their experiences, and it defined their personalities. This experience helped connect two very different generations together. The whole time at the senior center helped me further understand that I should add on as many experiences to my life because life is both too short and too continuous.
Profile by Christina Torres Literary Journalism by Emma Jackson Reflection by Maria Nguyen