Baker 1

Lauren Baker

Rachel Lindberg

LIFESPAN HUMAN DEVELOP

24 April 2022

Senior Citizen Interview: Lynn

I had the pleasure of interviewing Lynn, who is 75 years young, tries to stay active, and

lives life as if she is still young. Lynn described herself as a “young woman who has wrinkles”,

Lynn’s story is about how she stood up to the “man”, she fought against the Vietnam War, and

she stood for women who have been wronged in the past. I was excited to get to know Lynn

more throughout the interview, Lynn goes to the restaurant I work at quite often; when I asked if

I could interview her, she lit up like a tree at Christmas. After my shift and a few cups of coffee,

I started to conduct the interview.

Me: so, what are you looking forward to in the next decades? Why?

Lynn looked out the window for a few minutes, thinking about what she was going to say, after a

few minutes that felt like forever, she said.

Lynn: I see myself with my grandchildren on a picnic this summer and every summer

after, teaching them life skills that I learned, telling them my life story; how I fought in

Washington against the Vietnam War, and teaching them how to live without regret.

Maybe find a new life partner since I lost mine to Covid, go on amazing adventures with

my new partner, and re-live the old adventures I have been on before.

Me: So, Lynn, what sort of intellectual activities would you like to engage in?

Lynn: You know I love to read romance novels because my late husband was a bad lover,

if you know what I mean (she said with a wink and then continued), I do not care for
 Baker 2

politics too much drama, I like to paint all types of styles, and right now I’m learning to

box because you’re never too old to kick butt.

Me: How did you and your friends spend your free time?

Lynn: Well, my friends and I skipped school a bit to be free in the city, we would get into

all sorts of trouble; we would steal comics, candy, and yell all sorts of profanities. Even

though we caused a lot of trouble, I would help those in need. I would help my mother

tend to the garden and spend time with my siblings, which mostly meant I would babysit

them a lot because my parents worked all the time.

Me: So, tell me, Lynn, when did you retire?

Lynn: I technically retired six years ago, but I still work as a babysitter for a few of my

daughter’s friends and my grandbabies. But before that, I was an English and Art teacher

for a few schools over the years. I miss all the kids I had in my classes, even though I had

a few crazy kids, but I always thought they were the ones with the most creative flow

when it came to their work. But after I lost my husband, it was hard for me to get back

out there I kept trucking along as hard as I could, but when retirement came up, I took it,

and my kids surprised me with flowers, artwork, and so much love.

I could tell Lynn was starting to be upset when she looked long fully out the window of

the restaurant, trying not to cry, but with a smile on her face. I now know how much she loved

her job by just the way she spoke about her job and the love of the children she taught.

After a few quiet minutes I asked Lynn, are you ok to continue or would you like to stop. She

said no, let’s keep going.

Me: Do you need reminders to do chores, shopping, or take your medicine?

 Baker 3

Lynn: No, my mind is still going a million miles a minute. I’m not like those other

grandmas who need a constant reminder.

Me: I know you kept mentioning that you were married before, so let me ask you this,

what do you think is the key to a successful marriage?

Lynn: Well, the bedroom must always be fun for both parties, but outside of that honesty,

trust, taking turns cooking and cleaning, getting small things for each other at random

times, making coffee every Saturday morning, and sitting on the front porch talking about

new life goals with each other, and so much more. Love is about what you put in and

what you get out of it; it’s a team effort to raise each other and make our love life

interesting.

Getting to know Lynn was a blast, she was so funny and sweet. I could tell she loved the

life that she loved, Lynn and I are going to meet every other week just to talk, shop, and hang out

with one another. She was a great person to interview she was full of energy which is unlike a

regular elder.