IRON MOUNTAIN — It’s famously known that Thomas Edison attempted to bring his invention to life in hundreds of ways, yet when he was pressed about it, he expertly responded with, “I have not failed 1,000 times. I have successfully discovered 1,000 ways how to not make a light bulb.”

Seemingly in the same breath, Alexander Graham Bell, another vital inventor, said that “When one door closes, another one opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Often, there is a path that our lives lead us down, and just when we think we know where we’re going, we hit a fork in the road that wasn’t on the map, and our unprepared hand is forced.

I’ve always been a firm believer in what is meant to be will be; some that I know disagree with this, saying that it’s a too passive way to think, but I don’t look at it as being passive. Simply put, some things are just plain out of my control, and no matter what I do or say, what will be will be, however, I don’t think that I have no say in my life whatsoever. While most are familiar with Alexander Graham Bell’s saying, those who are believers are also familiar with the saying that when God closes a door, he opens a window. Whatever your personal beliefs are, either saying typically rings true, but the revelation in the matter comes with how you choose to seek out your next “option,” because as Bell so rightfully says, we usually tend to stare too long at the door that we never wanted to close.

When I decided to go to Purdue, a huge door full of opportunity and growth was presented to me. I was suddenly engrossed in a world that offered me life experiences that I hadn’t ever known before. Doors to studying abroad in England, volunteering to teach on the South Side of Chicago, live in an apartment building, being a part of student organizations, meeting friends from all across the globe, and ordering way too much pizza than was healthy were all opened to me. Then I graduated, and I thought that the world would be my oyster, but the professional doors that I had foreseen myself walking through were slammed shut. Instead, I was faced with a decision; did I choose my career, or helping my family through a tough situation? I chose my family, but with that choice came a time period of waiting for another walkway to open.

Once my gateway to the Chicago Public School system finally showed itself to me, I jumped at the chance. Teaching on the South Side gave me a new kind of “door opening” experience, because it taught me how to be less biased and prejudice, to ask questions before assuming, to believe when no one else does, and to be passionate at all times, but then, budget cuts happened, and my doorway into the hearts of the forgotten South Side youth also locked itself shut. What window would I move to then? Fusion Academy offered me an insight into working with teens who were still troubled, but on a different spectrum. The doors that welcomed me showed me how to tailor instruction to one specific student’s needs, to teach writing in a way that reaches kids with severe learning disabilities and kids with mild ones, and to identify issues within myself that I didn’t even know needed to be resolved. Alas, just when I had started to feel comfortable and at home in my role at Fusion, my then fiancé told me he wanted to move back to Michigan, and so almost as quickly as my door to the one on one teaching world had opened, it closed, and not only did it close, but seemingly any door that lead to instructing seemed to remain shut.

The thing is, when one door closes, like Bell says, another one always opens, but no one ever talks about the time in between the doors. If I recount my story, it seems to flow smoothly, considering the amount of door jumping being made within a short period of time, but my story fails to mention the ever annoying game played by “patience” that took place before I’d found my next window of opportunity. When I was let go from my school in Chicago due to budget cuts, I was devastated. I had put all of myself into my students, and I had given them every ounce of love that I could offer. I poured my heart into what I taught them so that they could be passionate about what they were learning, and my kids knew it. When my students found out about my leaving, 62 of them wrote letters of “petition” to the principal about my departure. Some of my students brought me going away presents, made me posters and cards, and took pictures with me. Others hugged me and cried, which inevitably made me cry. At that time, I didn’t care about any potential door or window that might be opening, I simply didn’t want the one I was standing in to close. Even once I’d moved to Fusion, I found myself longing for the doors of my past. It was only once I’d left and moved to Michigan that I realized what I’d given up, and then once again I yearned for the door that used to be.

An article from exploringyourmind.com profoundly says, “We all suffer now and again from the incurable habit of tuning in to the same emotional channel: the one of suffering, of attachment to lost things, of the memory of what we never achieved, and the bitterness of all the disappointments we’ve experienced. Somehow, in this abyss of complex emotions, what we often do is leave an infinite number of doors open with a sign that says “just in case,” but we should try to stop and feel the breeze that blows through these half-open doors. It’s a cold wind that smells like stopped time, dried tears, and unfulfilled dreams. This wind carries the echoes of voices that once harmed us. It’s necessary to close these doors, for your own emotional balance and health.”

It continues on saying, “We’re often weighed down by the infinite “why’s” that will never have an answer. There have been so many times that we’ve looked back on the past and watched the present fade away, and this isn’t healthy or natural. Nobody can live in two places at once. You either moved forward, or you become a beautiful bookmark that remains forever in one chapter of the book, without letting yourself discover how your story ends.” In hindsight, I’m able to see the domino effect that took place due to the doors that were shut in my life, both that were in and out of my control, but at the time, the dominoes only felt like an earthquake rocking my world into oblivion. I knew I had to move forward, and so I did, but I did so begrudgingly.

What if Edison had focused on the “light bulbs” that never were? What if instead of knowing that he was succeeding at failing, he’d believed he was failing at succeeding? Sure, someone else would have probably successfully honed the electricity “thing,” but how different would the course of our world be now? There are an infinite amount of dimensions that could’ve been altered, had Edison simply chosen to believe differently. Unlike what Bell says most of us do, Edison didn’t stare at the door that had closed or try aimlessly to get it to open back up again. Instead, he kept moving to the next crack of light that he saw, and even after the darkness had swallowed that hope, he found another.

Recently, I’ve experienced a door opening in my life that I wouldn’t have anticipated a year ago, but that gives me tremendous joy and hope for the future. On the other hand, my husband had a door close for him that we both desperately had longed would open. In the wake of this closing, I found myself engulfed in the sorrow of his closed door. I allowed myself to wallow in the pain of disappointment, even though he didn’t. He was still hopeful for what the future would bring, yet there I was, saddened by the chapter that might never be read, despite the entire new book that had just been opened up to myself.

It was a song on the radio that shook me out of my funk, and made me realize I was mindlessly looking at a door that was closed, fiddling with the lock, when just a few feet down was a window ready for me to climb through. Andrew Dykstra has said that in order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experiences that shaped you. The same can be said for your life’s direction; in order to love where you are, you cannot hate the doors that have been closed on you. Rather, you can only look forward to the ones you have yet to open; live less out of habit, and more out of intent, and then learn to dance in the rain. I promise, it’ll be worth it.

——

NURSING HOMES

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.; library cart, 11 a.m.; line dancers, 1:30 p.m.; ice cream social, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Crafts and gardening, 10 a.m.; reminisce, 1:15 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Reading buddy, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 11 a.m.; what’s the word?, 1:15 p.m.; pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: What’s cooking, 11 a.m.; Mass, 2 p.m.; sing a long, 2:30 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Meet and greet, 10:30 a.m.; spinning records, 11 a.m.; Daily News, 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 visitors, 8:30 a.m.; room visits, 9 to 11 a.m.; hangman, 10 a.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.; Church of Christ, 3 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Book club, 10 a.m.; prayer, 10 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; Western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Community breakfast, 8:45 a.m.; storytelling, 10 a.m.; how do you feel?, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; Christ United, 2 p.m.; happy hour, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; senior days at Batawagma, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; ice cream social, 2 p.m.; drama movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzler, 10 a.m.; scavenger hunt, 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 a.m.; morsels and more, 1 p.m.; Protestant church, 3 p.m.

Monday: Did you know, 10:15 a.m.; Soundz of Time, 2 p.m.; pokeno on the patio, 5:45 p.m.

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

Wednesday: Remembering when, 10:15 a.m.; Father’s Day party/Golden Throats entertain, 2 p.m.; flip five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; K bingo, 2 p.m.; Randy’s magic moments, 5:45 p.m.

Friday: Finish lines 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.; chips n’ chatter, 2:30 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.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; penny ante, 10:15 a.m.; music bingo with root beer floats, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Life stories, 10:15 a.m.; nickel jokereno, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 10:15 a.m.; crafts, 2 p.m.; court yard concert, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Protestant service, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; Jan and Gino, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; bonfire, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; patriotic sing a long, 2 p.m.; whammo, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Rosary, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:15 a.m.; Pictionary, 10:30 a.m.; happy hour, 2 p.m.

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

Maryhill Manor, Alzheimer’s Unit

Niagara, Wis.

Bread making, noon daily.

Chicken soup, communication program, 4 p.m. daily.

Sensory group, 6 p.m. daily.

Movie, 6:30 p.m. daily.

Sunday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; sing-a-long, 12:15 p.m.; bowling, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; balloon ball, 3:30 p.m.

Monday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; old TV shows, 12:15 p.m.; Animal Kingdom, 1 p.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; kickball, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Play dough molds, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; table ball, 10:15 a.m.; sing-along, 12:15 p.m.; foot soaks, 1 p.m.; creative art, 2 p.m.; balloon ball, 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Play dough molds, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 9:45 a.m.; coloring, 10:15 a.m.; old TV shows, 12:15 p.m.; through the years, 1 p.m.; pamper and polish, 2 p.m.; golf, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; sing-a-long, 12:15 p.m.; foot soaks, 1 p.m.; men’s group, 2 p.m.; parachute, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Play dough molds, 9 a.m.; spelling bee, 9:45 a.m.; coloring, 10:15 a.m.; old TV shows, 12:15 p.m.; creative art, 1 p.m.; happy hour/music and memory, 2 p.m.; kickball, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday: Table ball, 9 a.m.; puzzles, 9:45 a.m.; Bible stories, 10:15 a.m.; sing-along, 12:15 p.m.; foot soaks, 1 p.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; parachute, 3:30 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 p.m.; refreshments, 3 p.m.

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

Tuesday: Rootbeer floats on the porch, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Catholic Mass, 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.

*Due to an activity director change, contact the home for June activities.

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 a.m.; beauty shop, 10 a.m.; Lutheran service, 2 p.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.

Monday: Resident Council, 10:30 a.m.; worship and communion service, 1:30 p.m.; Rosary, 2:30 p.m.; bean bag toss, 3:30 p.m.; King’s Corners, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Decorating for prom, 10 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Pictionary, 3:30 p.m.; one on one visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Paul Mitchell school, 9 a.m.; prom with Jim Clements, 2 p.m.; Rummy, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Casino outing, 10 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; one on one visits, 6 p.m.

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

Saturday: Karaoke, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10 a.m.; trivia, 2 p.m.; sensory, 3 p.m.

Victorian Heights

Crystal Falls

906-874-1000

*Activities director out on leave. Call the home for additional information.

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.

The center is closed Thursday through Sunday.

Monday: Soup, salad, potato sausage, fried cabbage, noodles, vegetables, and homemade dessert.

Tuesday: Soup, salad, sloppy Joes, baked beans, German potato salad, and homemade dessert.

Wednesday: Soup, salad, grilled chicken, baked potato bar, veggies, and homemade dessert.

A site council meeting takes place at 3 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

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.

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. Suggested donation is $4 per meal. For information, call Chris Tramotin at 906-774-2256, ext. 235.

Transportation is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call the center to book a ride.

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.

Senior Dining Center-NWTC, Aurora

715-589-4491

Serving lunch at 11:30 am, Monday through Thursday

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.

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.

DICSA operates all meals and transportation out of the Iron River Center. Rides are $2.50 donation for age 60 and older, and $3 required for younger than 60. Call 906-265-6134 to schedule a ride

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.

A senior coloring class meets daily. All are welcome. Some materials will be provided.

Monday — Center board meeting at 10 a.m.

Tuesday — CSFP (green card) food distribution from 8:30 to 9 a.m. at the old Northland building.

Tuesday — Noon meal with Swedish meatballs over egg noodles, peas, carrots, soup, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert. Bingo and prizes with 50/50 as well. Sign up early.

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.

Volunteers are always welcome.