Senior Moments
with Emma Edwards
Getting brave through a positive outlook
Henry Ford was often quot-
ed “If you think you can’t,
you can’t. If you think you
can, you can.”
It’s been said that the state-
ment originally was applied
to research, as in Mr. Ford’s
case.
However, I think it could
easily be applied to the aging
process of us seniors.
I’ve been privileged to work
with or beside what we call
the senior population most
of my adult life.
I’ve observed bravery, te-
nacity and determination in
so many seniors.
I used to stand in awe of
watching or helping a senior
endure a crisis that could
make the average person
crumble.
Now that I’ve joined that
group called “seniors,” I want
to be like that.
As a columnist, my editor
told me I could have an opin-
ion, whereas a reporter sim-
ply reports the facts (nothing
January 19, 2018
T he C olumbia P ress
6
but the facts, please).
Maybe my thoughts on this
subject could be mixed with
fact and opinion.
Back in 2001, my husband
and I had the thrill of cele-
brating our 50th wedding an-
niversary.
We hired a local photog-
rapher to take our picture
dressed up in our finery.
The day came when the
photographer called us to see
the proofs.
As we went through the pic-
tures, she assured us that she
could smooth out the wrin-
kles that were there. We both
stopped her on the spot and
explained that we had earned
those wrinkles, so please
don’t erase them.
We both had a positive out-
look on life and, therefore, on
aging.
I think (here comes an
opinion) too many seniors
have a negative outlook on
aging. There is nothing more
pathetic than a senior who’s a
whiner when they could be a
winner.
How about saying some
don’t have the privilege of
aging? For those who have
already lost a mate, I’m sure
you would agree wholeheart-
edly that life is a privilege.
Mark Twain once said,
“Wrinkles should merely
indicate where smiles have
been.”
That reminds me of anoth-
er quote: “It’s important to
have a twinkle in your wrin-
kle.”
Have you considered there
are unlimited advantages to
becoming what is considered
“old”? I think that the older
we are, the more choices we
have, such as when we estab-
lish priorities.
We can go to lunch with
a positive person, or with a
complainer. A whiner or a
winner!
The younger set seems to
ask our opinions more often
than ever before. (Not sure if
that’s because they know we
wouldn’t remember what it is
they asked or if they actually
think we’re wise).
I saw a plaque that said,
“The difference between
whiners and winners is the
attitude they have and the
way they respond to their
problems.”
I think another help is to
look at the big picture, try to
see the good in a situation or
person, and try to ignore the
bad.
We’re prone to react less to
negative input as our brain
ages, being pulled more to-
ward the positive, according
to science.
If you’re getting close to it,
happy aging!
Permits: Issued in December
Continued from Page 1
19, Lazzeri Electric
Drive, Nov. 27, Bogh Electric
• Feeder and 10 circuits for
addition, Christian Church of
Warrenton, 1376 S.E. Anchor
Ave., Nov. 29, Inland Electric
• Add temporary service, 2235
S.E. Salal Loop, Dec. 19, Inland
Electric
• Add temporary service, 2231
S.E. Salal Loop, Dec. 19, Inland
Electric
• Add temporary service, 1523
S.E. Honeysuckle Loop, Dec. 19,
Wadsworth Electric
• Generator, 33151 Columbia
Beach Lane, Dec. 20, Renaud
Electric
• Add temporary power, address
to be determined Dorymen Lane,
North Coast Classic Homes
• Roof-stop units, Panda Express,
1550 S.E. Discovery Lane, Nov.
29, Diamond Heating
• Install LED light in showroom,
Lum’s Auto Center, 1605 SE En-
sign Lane, Dec. 8, Halo Electric
• Install two circuits for mechan-
ical units, Super Mart, 1180
Pacific Drive, Hammond, Dec.
13, Bogh Electric
• Security system, Verizon Store,
1490 SE Discovery Lane, Dec. 13,
ADT Security Services
• Low voltage, T-Mobile Store,
1546 SE Discovery Lane, Dec. 27,
Freedom Custom Comm.
• Replace alarm panel, T-Mobile
Store, 1546 SE Discovery Lane,
Dec. 28, Pacific Alarm Systems
• Install 18 circuits, Alder Court
Apartments Building A, 235 SW
Alder Ct., Dec. 4, Inland Electric
• Install 18 circuits, Alder Court
Apartments Building D, 234 SW
Alder Ct., Dec. 4, Inland Electric
• 2000 remodel, 33252 Silverspot
Lane, Dec. 4, Inland Electric
• Relocate service, 270 S.E. An-
chor Ave., Dec. 5, Wadsworth
• Add temporary service, 80362
Polo Ridge Road, Dec. 11, Ever-
green Construction
• Add temporary service, 2223
S.E. Salal Loop, Dec. 14, T.Miller
• Add temporary service, address
to be determined on Shady Pines
Road, Dec. 15, Steve Ackley
• Master bedroom addition,
89825 Surf Pines Landing, Dec.
p lumBIng
• Install backflow device for
landscaping, Gearhart Rural Fire
station, 33496 Westlake Lane,
Dec. 13, Cesar’s Yard Mainte-
nance & Bauer Landscape
• Replace main sewer and water
service, 90295 Shoreline Drive,
Dec. 27, Winters Plumbing
• Install backflow, 80654 Polo
Ridge Road, Dec. 27, M & F
Plumbing
m eCHanICal
• Replace gas furnace, 90436 Par
Road, Dec. 5, White’s Heating
• Replace heat pump, 92163
Ridge Road, Dec. 12, P&L John-
son Mechanical
• Install gas insert and gas pip-
ing, 33886 Southshore Drive,
Dec. 12, Diamond Heating
• Install gas insert and gas pip-
ing, 91337 Highway 101, Dec. 12,
Diamond Heating
• Install pellet stove, 33156 Sand
Dollar Lane, Dec. 20, Columbia
Housewarmers
• Gas piping, 33151 Columbia
Beach, Dec. 20, Renaud Electric
Senior lunch menu
Monday, Jan. 22: Salmon, baked potatoes, broccoli, black bean
soup, bread pudding.
Thursday, Jan. 25: Lasagna with Italian sausage, mixed vege-
tables, romaine salad, ice cream.
The Warrenton senior lunch program is at noon (doors
open at 10:30 a.m.) Mondays and Thursdays at Warrenton
Community Center, 170 SW Third St. Suggested donation is
$5 for ages 55 and older; $7 for those younger. For more
information, call 503-861-3502.