Words to live by, from those who know best

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Seniors from Headingley have published a book based on their experiences during the Depression and war years. (KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

I have more wisdom for you.

Several weeks ago, I asked readers over 65 to share the best advice they'd received. It could be short and sweet, a mini-essay on their lives or simply a quotation they liked. My mailbox filled. And filled. And filled.

The topic took me to Headingley this week, where a group of seniors have written There's A Baboon In Our House (And Other Manitoba Stories), a truly lovely book that tells the seniors' stories of growing up during the Depression and war years. They collaborated with Grade 3 and 4 students at Headingley's Phoenix School.

The seniors read their stories to the kids, the children asked questions and a beautifully illustrated book was born. I sat down with the authors to talk about the project and to get some advice.

"We were friends with everybody," said Pat Britton. "We never worried about our kids being out playing. We knew our neighbours. That was important."

"When you go back to the '30s, nobody had any money and nobody thought they were poor," said Dave Taylor, 92. "We had enough. People don't understand that now."

Louise Ammeter, another of the authors, shared her story in an email.

"When I was two months old, my father died, leaving my mother a 29-year-old widow with five little children. In 1929, we came to Canada with five dollars each and a few belongings. We could not speak English. There were many obstacles to overcome but with mother's strong Christian faith and optimism we survived.

"Mother always said 'this too shall pass' and it did.

"Today I am an 86-year-old widow living alone and facing new challenges. Every day I remind myself 'this too shall pass' and it will."

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Marjorie Wilson, 94, responded to the original column.

"During the Depression, my mother never turned a man away who was selling pencils, elastics or (wanting to) mow our lawn (for) 10 cents. One year we didn't have Xmas but (were) never hungry and (had) a warm, clean house, wonderful neighbours who were our friends, a whole new world from what I see today."

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Abigail Shelest, 81, also got her advice from her mother:

"Never judge anyone until you've spoken with them. That's my creed and all my family abide by it."

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Ilona Orosz quoted opera singer Beverly Sills:

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try," Sills said.

"By trying you are never a failure," added Orosz. "You will learn something about yourself and your abilities. It will help you set your goals for the future."

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Art Pynoo shared his father's advice:

"Things I remember my dad telling me repeatedly: "We start work at 8:00, so be here at 7:30 to sharpen your saws, chisels and planes on your time not mine.

"If you get a chance to do something different and interesting, no matter what, do it because once you have done it they can't take it away from you."

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"I remember being told by a kindly stranger, when I was only 15, to look at people when I was talking to them. To make eye contact. What great advice to a shy girl."

-- Mary-Alice Green, 71

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"I have a couple words of wisdom that my father left me with that made a positive impact on my life.

"One was when I was a teenager in the 1950s... I guess he thought that with my choice of friends I was going to get into trouble, so he warned me of the consequences if I did so.

"He said, 'If you are big enough to get into trouble, then you had better be big enough to get out of it because I will not help you.'

"Guess what? It worked.

"Another one of his words of wisdom was about budgeting. I guess he had too often heard a common complaint from people who lamented the fact that they didn't have enough money.

"His comment was, 'It isn't what you earn, it is what you spend.' "

-- Ed Bailey, 72

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Finally, one that made me laugh out loud:

"My grandfather lived until he was 97," wrote Julie Tillotson. "I once asked him if he had any good advice about how to live such a long and happy life. "His reply: 'Never bother to give advice, it is a waste of time. The wise don't need it and the dumb won't take it.' "

Please keep your words of wisdom coming. You can send them to me, care of the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., R2X 3B6 or email them to feedback@freepress.mb.ca

lindor.reynolds@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 28, 2012 B1