Seniors offer New Year's resolution advice
LYNDORA — Gerrie Jockel's resolution — make no resolution.
“My resolutions always get broken within the first hour,” said Jockel, 77, of Butler.
Nearly 25 seniors rang in 2020 early at the Butler Senior Center inside the Tanglewood Center, 10 Austin Ave., at its New Year's celebration Dec. 26 as they raised a toast with red and white sparkling grape juice.
When it comes to making a resolution for 2020, some say to steer clear while others say keep motivated.
Jockel's past resolutions involve healthier eating habits, she said.
As she reflected on 2019, she saw a year with less illness.
She spent 2018 adjusting when she moved from Florida after many hospitalizations from a stroke, cancer and serious illness.
“Since I've been here, I've been good,” she said about her time in Butler.
Bells rang at midnight in Florida to acknowledge the new year Jockel said, adding that she heard the bells, woke up and went right back to sleep.
“Ringing in the new year doesn't mean hardly anything to me like it used to,” she said.
One new year tradition for Jockel is a pork and sauerkraut meal with family.
“I hear they serve pork because it comes from a pig and a pig never looks back,” she said. “That's what I learned growing up.”
Jockel's advice to people making resolutions — “good luck,” she said.
For half the year, Butler resident Marlene Nagle recovered from a broken ankle at a nursing home. Her sister, Carol Shayborarts of Fenelton, spent that time trying to visit.
“I'm going to get better,” said Nagle, 87, looking ahead to 2020.
To start the new year, Shayborarts plans to celebrate her 80th birthday with a party and keep her resolution to lose weight.
Nagle has yet to make a resolution.
“Not that I ever,” she said, laughing.
The two reunited at Tanglewood to celebrate the new year together, they said.“It means a lot. I really missed her when she was in the nursing home. It was hard,” Shayborarts said about the moment she shared with her sister. “We're just going to come to the center and be together whenever we can.”Butler resident Maggie Souzer spent 2019 volunteering at the center's cafe and Tuesday bingo and with the Friends of the Library at the Butler Area Public Library.“I want to go back to sewing,” Souzer said about her plans in the new year.She has her eye on a quilt she wants to make for her grandchildren, she said.“I don't know if I'll accomplish it, but that's my goal,” she said.Souzer has sewn since she was a girl and is thinking about picking up the craft again, she said.Another goal of Souzer's is to add walking back into her routine.“If I could do that through the next year, I would be happy,” she said.Typically, Souzer's resolutions go off track. However, she said, stick to the goal.“Keep getting back on and try to resume the activities you had planned for the year,” she said. “If it doesn't work, try it again next year.”As the seniors cheered and shouted “Happy New Year!” to bid 2019 farewell, the year 2020 was welcomed.“It goes so fast, so quickly,” Souzer said. “I think the adage that when you are older it does go quick. I really think that's true.”
- Choose a specific, realistic goal- Pick just one resolution- Start with small steps- Avoid repeating past failures- Remember that change is a process- Get support from your friends and family- Don't let small stumbles bring you downSOURCE: verywellmind.com
