IRON MOUNTAIN — There is a show on television called “This is Us.” Personally, I find that it is one of the most accurate portrayals of life that has ever been written and played out on the big screen.

The show follows a set of triplets and begins every season on their birthday. In the first season, they are all turning 36. Kate, the only sister, struggles with weight and depression. In the premier episode, you see her disdain over eating birthday cake, and her envy of not looking like other women she deems attractive. Kevin is an actor, but he feels that he can never live up to the expectations that he has set for himself, and finds himself constantly feeling less than, and pretends to exude confidence when really he is utterly self-conscious.

Randall, the third “triplet,” was adopted after Kevin and Kate’s biological brother died while their mother was in childbirth. Randall was abandoned at a fire station the day his siblings were born, and became part of the “big three” the very same day. Randall is smart, and has a wife and kids, but still at times feels as if he’s an outsider and doesn’t quite belong. He overcompensates in his life and often makes grand gestures as overreactions so that he feels accepted and successful.

Throughout the first season, the show creators do an incredible job of looking through the experiences of these triplets, going through the stages of their lives. The flashbacks cover the lives of their parents, Jack and Rebecca, and go through how they met, how they fell in love, and their tales as young parents. It shows the triplets when they’re adolescents and then teens, and goes through experiences they had through each of their perspectives.

Even when Kate was young, she struggled with her self-image. She would compare herself to her mother, a woman she thought was perfect. She noticed how she wore size large in clothes while her mother wore size small; when she went to the pool in the summer, she was made fun of by other girls her age for how she looked in her swimsuit. Kevin was continuously jealous of Randall, who was always smarter than him and was the “genius” child; he felt overshadowed by the boy he didn’t consider his “real” brother, and Randall struggled with the fact that he was adopted and was a different race than his adoptive family and strove to gain the approval of his brother and father. He knew he was different, but tried to fit in, but also wanted to remain true to who he was, which was more difficult at times than he would’ve liked.

As adults, the triplets still struggle with some of the same issues they had as kids and teenagers. Early on in the show, it’s revealed that the father, Jack, died when the triplets were in high school. As viewers, you’re constantly sent on a roller coaster of emotions knowing that the pivotal figure in their lives dies, but not knowing how, and watching them struggle in adulthood because as Randall says, they’re all “desperately trying to keep him alive in any way they can.”

The reason the show is so successful, heartwarming, and gut wrenching is because it’s so very relatable. In the Pearson family, it is easy to somehow find yourself. You feel connected because you can see a bit of who you are or used to be. How often, as adults do we struggle with the perils of our youth? And how often, do we see our children and siblings and loved ones do the same?

On this past week’s episode of “This is Us,” we follow Jack (the father) when he was young and a sergeant fighting in the Vietnam War. In the middle of the night, his men were attacked, and one of his closest allies lost his foot. As Jack tried to comfort him, his friend rocked back and forth, crying, and clutching his lost foot like it was a doll. The next morning, as he was being evacuated, Jack started to break down at the realization that he would have to go on and lead without his comrade. His injured friend looked at Jack, held his head in his hands, and said, “breathe.” While he faced a future without a critical part of his body, he comforted his commander, even though he felt anxiety as well. While this happened, the show’s iconic music played, and a scene from the previous season flashed across the screen. When Randall was a young boy, he suffered anxiety attacks, and when he did, Jack would hold his face in his hands, exuding all the love he had into his embrace, and tell his young son… “breathe.”

Watching the lives of a fictional family play out in front of you is touching because you can connect all the dots that make the characters who they are. Jack had taught his son to relax in moments of anxiety through in a way that Randall used the rest of his life, even though he never knew how his father had come across the method to begin with. We as the viewers are given a bit of information that even the characters don’t have, but it makes the already genuine gesture even more familiar. The triplets, through all the stage of their lives that are shown, revere their father. It’s easy to idolize the good after death, but more than that, they continued to carry the weight of their father’s passing long after he was gone and use it to fuel both the positive and negative aspects of their lives. They constantly want to make him proud, even though he isn’t there to see it, and yet because he is gone, they never quite feel whole.

Sadly, we often carry our burdens far longer than we should, yet the moments and experiences of our lives help to shape both the blessings and hardships of our stories. How do we move forward, when it’s so hard to let go of what weighs us down? We do so by learning and taking that knowledge with us. Jack suffered his entire life after the war from bouts of PTSD and alcoholism, some stemming from experience and others from genetics, but he also remembered that even in his weakest moments, he could be strong for his son and show him how to breathe. Randall knew his father had weaknesses, but he didn’t carry his father’s weaknesses with him for the rest of his life. Rather, he took with him his strength, and guidance, in knowing how to handle his anxiety and simply … breathe.

We have to allow ourselves the ability to be vulnerable, even in moments where we don’t feel strong. What is your “face holding” moment? What have you held onto that has been shown to you, that helps you conquer your fears? Leave fear behind. Trust in the realness of your own life; it doesn’t have to take a TV family to show you that despite your flaws and insecurities, you hold power, and maybe all you need to do is breathe.

——

Freeman

Kingsford

Scenes and sounds, 11:45 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Sunday: Uno, 1 p.m.; dunking donuts, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p.m.

Monday: Pretty nails, 10 a.m.; brouhaha, 11 a.m.; library cart, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Crochet and knit, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 11 a.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; Rosary, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; puppy visits, 1:30 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: What’s cooking?, 11 a.m.; bunco, 1:15 p.m.; jigsaw brain teaser, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; Daily News, 11 a.m.; spinning records, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Iron County Medical Facility

Crystal Falls

Room visits, 1 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Exercise, 11 a.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

Sunday: One to one church visitor, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Costume prep, 9 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Book Club, 10 a.m.; Mass, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social, 10 a.m.; costume prep, 10 a.m.; Family Dollar, 12:30 p.m.; ghost stories, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; Presbyterian church, 2 p.m., 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Costume prep, 9 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.; crime movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: ICMCF word search, 10 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; geri gym, 11 a.m.; intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet your whistle, 9:30 a.m. daily.

Movie, 10:45 a.m. daily, and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gathering place, 11:40 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 11:40 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Popcorn Day Fridays.

Protestant Church service, 3 p.m. Sunday.

Exercises, 10 a.m. daily.

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 p.m.; company’s coming room visits, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Who, what, when, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; pokeno, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Who am I?, 10:15 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Remembering when, 10:15 a.m.; pumpkin creations, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; Deal or No Deal bingo, 2 p.m.; crafts, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: ManorCare monthly, 10:15 a.m.; pokeno, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie, 3:15 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Rosary, 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Parachute, 1:30 p.m. daily.

Monthly support group for grief and loss, 2 p.m. second Monday of the month.

Weekend pet visits.

Sunday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Mass, 9 a.m.; music bingo, 10:15 a.m.; penny ante, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.; Christian fellowship, 5:30 p.m.

Monday: Travel Club, 10:15 a.m.; help your neighbor, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 10:15 a.m.; Franciscan values craft, 2 p.m.; Yahtzee, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: You be the judge, 10:15 a.m.; Ecumenical service, 1:30 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; group therapy, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; St. Francis movie, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Yoga, 10 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Jokereno, 10:15 a.m.; pamper and polish, 2:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 5:45 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Exercise, 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Coffee clutch, 9:30 a.m. daily

Shopping days: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, must sign up.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Birthday party, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Left, center, right, 2 p.m.; Rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Morning news, 6 a.m. daily.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; flippo, 2 p.m.

Monday: Bingo with Bette, 10 a.m.; reading and reminiscing, 2 p.m.; one on one time, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Chair exercise, 10 a.m.; creme pie party, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Horse races, 10 a.m.; music with Crystal, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.

Friday: Catholic church service, 10 a.m.; bake pumpkin pie, 2 p.m.; pumpkin pie party, 3 p.mr.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; Uno, 2 p.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

Life connections, 9:45 a.m. every Monday.

Busy bee, 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rosary 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Sunday: Grace church, 10:15 a.m.; Uno, 10 a.m.; Lions football party, 2 p.m.; ball toss, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Beauty shop, 10:30 a.m.; ball toss, 3:30 p.m.; mind joggers, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Casino outing, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; social circle, 3:30 p.m.; word puzzles, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Shopping outing, 10:30 a.m.; painting, 2 p.m.; one on one visits, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; movie night, 6 p.m.

Friday: Mass, 10:30 a.m.; bunco, 2 p.m.; pumpkin painting with Leo Club, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Hand massage, 10 a.m.; life stories, 10:30 a.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.; sensory, 3:30 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24-hour advanced reservations for lunch. If you have meals delivered and will not be home, notify the center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunch at noon.

Bingo on Tuesdays.

Free meal drawing on Thursdays.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Meals Monday through Friday.

Pasty sale every third Saturday of the month.

Cards and games available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.

Treats and coffee, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Center retail store is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledged every day.

Evening meals are on the first and third Thursday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m., with dinner at 5 p.m. Donations are $4 for those 60 and older and $5 for 60 and younger.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook, Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Meals will be served on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5 p.m., with the salad bar opening at 4:30 p.m. The dinner donation is $5 for those age 60 and older and $6 for those younger than 60. There is a $1 charge for take-out containers. All are invited.

Cribbage will be played at 1 p.m. Wednesdays and be concluded in time for dinner.

Monday: Soup, salad, spaghetti, sausage, corn, and homemade dessert.

Tuesday: Soup, salad, liver and onions, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and homemade dessert.

Wednesday: Soup, salad, seasoned baked fish, oven fries, vegetables, and homemade dessert.

The center is closed Thursday through Sunday.

A blood pressure reading can be taken by request at any time while the center is open.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on weekends.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; mahjong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:15 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: Billiards, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, 1 p.m., crafters, scrap bookers and others also welcome; knitting and crocheting class, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music jam starting at 1 p.m. Admission is free.

Dances take place from 7 to 10 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Admission is $6; coffee is free.

The Photo Club meets 1 to 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Evening meals are usually on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m., with the meal served at 4:30 p.m. A donation of $4 is accepted for seniors age 60 and older but not required.

Home-delivered meals are for seniors 60 and older can be delivered seven days a week. Christine McMahon has information for all meals and can be reached at 906-774-2256 ext. 235.

For transportation rides, call “Buzzin’ Around Town” at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 donation for age 60 and older, and $3.50 required for younger than 60. Transportation is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Meals served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Bingo after lunch on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

A congregate jigsaw puzzle is done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Suggested donation for seniors older than 60 is $4 per meal. Residents younger than 60 must pay $7. Reservations and cancellations needed 48 hours in advance.

The ADRC can assist area seniors and those with disabilities with transportation Monday through Friday. Transportation reservation should be made with meal reservation.

Four senior dining locations are listed below:

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal at noon Wednesdays only. Reservations are requested. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

715-528-4261

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Jigsaw puzzles, cards, cribbage and board games are available. The coffee is always on as well.

Tipler Town Hall

715-674-2320

Serving lunch at noon on the second Thursday of the month.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Jigsaw puzzles, cribbage, cards and board games are available. The coffee is always on as well.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Meal is at noon Monday through Friday. Suggested donation is $3 for age 60 and older and $7 for those younger than 60.

Morning coffee is available daily.

Fifteen games of “fun bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday, along with a 50/50 drawing.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon. Call ahead to see if a game will be going on.

Friday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Walking in the gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill also is available.

Friendly interaction with other crafters.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Meals served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; a $4 donation is encouraged from those 60 and older, and a $5 payment is required from those younger than 60.

Thursday meal, 4 p.m. salad bar, with dinner at 4:30 p.m.

Christine McMahon has information for all meals and can be reached at 906-774-2256 ext. 235. For transportation rides please call “Buzzin’ Around Town” at 906-282-0492. Rides are $3 donation for age 60 and older, and $3.50 required for younger than 60.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Corrie Maule, meal site manager, 715-251-1603

Jill Anderson, senior center director, 715-251- 4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday.

Transportation to the meal site from the Niagara, Wis., area is offered.

They welcome any senior groups that would like to use the meal site as a meeting place — join them for lunch and then stay for a meeting or social time.

Wii games, cards, puzzles and board games are available to play.

Other activities are in the works — suggestions are always welcome.

Those who have not been at the meal site/senior center are invited to give it a try. Those who haven’t been here in a while are encouraged to come back.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon, with salad bar. Soup also is available at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea, and coffee served daily. Meal donation is $5. Reservation for the meal should be made in advance.

Two special-themed meals take place each month, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50 drawing.

Two evening meals offered at 5 p.m. on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month, with bingo, prizes and a 50-50.

If Norway-Vulcan are schools are closed due to snow days, so is the senior center. If the schools are on a two-hour delay, the center remains open.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays.

Puzzles always in the works.

Note: A CSFP food card (green card) is available to income-eligible seniors. Make an appointment to get signed up. File of Life packets available at the center.

Note: Ask about the Medicare Savings Program. This program helps people pay their Medicare part B premium. You may be eligible. The local MMAP counselor can be reached at 1-800-803-7174, or dial 211.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m.

Cards: Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.

Commodities every other month and quarterly commodities are every three months.

A puzzle table is available to enjoy.

Volunteers are always welcome.