Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — The topic of today’s column may appear a little odd given the typical age of its readers. An article on the senior page of the newspaper, after all, is written for more senior individuals who are most certainly living their purpose in life already. But I don’t think this topic is a waste of time. After all, how many of us have even asked ourselves about our life’s purpose? Haven’t we gone through life doing what needs to be done and hoping for the best?

I also think that our purpose in life varies with our age and varies with the stage of life in which we find ourselves. Certainly, as children we should be carefree and full of energy. As we play with other children, we begin to learn how to interact with others in positive ways. We learn how to make friends and how to treat those friends so they want to stick with us.

As we grow older, we learn responsibility for ourselves and others as our parents give us chores to do that are appropriate for our age. We learn that as a member of a family, we need to help. Our teachers also contribute to our development by teaching us the role of a student. They assign us homework and set certain expectations for our success in the classroom. We learn quickly that school is a lot easier when we pay attention and do the work that is required.

Fast forward several years, and we apply what we learned at home and school to our employers and the jobs they have assigned to us. We soon find out what our purpose is at work by how well we complete the task at hand. I remember all too well what it feels like to be working at a job for which I had absolutely no talent … or any hope of learning.

My husband and I took turns finishing college after we were married. He finished first, and I worked what I now consider to be “survival jobs.” They paid the bills, but offered no personal satisfaction whatsoever. The most difficult one was third shift — 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. — at a frozen foods factory. No matter where I was put in that factory, I could not do the job, and I nearly froze to death.

I tried valiantly to keep up when packing frozen dinner rolls. I stood at the end of a conveyor belt as sheets of rolls came toward me. I was to pack five sheets per box, move the box to a table beside me and tape it shut, then stack it on a pallet behind me. By the time I turned around, the next box was full, and I repeated the process. It wasn’t too bad when they were running dinner rolls, but onion rolls were impossible. The boxes were smaller because they only needed three sheets of rolls, and the rolls were bigger because they had onion bits in them. Plus, I had to take a few seconds to shake the box so the rolls would settle enough for me to be able to tape the box shut. Every movement, no matter how small, took precious time. Picture Lucy Ricardo in the candy factory — that was me. Onion rolls were overflowing the box and falling onto the floor where they would begin to thaw. As the floor sweeper came by, the partially thawed dough smeared across the floor as a testament to my inability to keep up.

So, I was moved to the “finished end” of the tunnel oven. This was a huge oven that had a continuous moving belt running slowly through it. Cake batter that would eventually be used to make jelly rolls was poured onto a sheet of paper. As the paper moved through the oven, the batter became a fully baked sheet cake. I was there to cut the cake into the proper size. I used a measure — an upside-down cookie sheet with a handle on it — cut the cake to size, moved it to a cookie sheet and slid it onto a cooling rack. Things moved slowly enough so that I could keep up, but I was not tall enough to have the leverage I needed to cut through the paper sheet. So, I had to lean into my work. Well, in one of my leans, I managed to hit a button that stopped the second half of the conveyor belt. This allowed all of the half-baked cake to pile up in the middle of the oven. As soon as this happened, alarm bells rang and blue-hatted supervisors came running out of every corner of that factory. Once again, I was mortified. As you can imagine, I did not keep that job for very long.

I ended up working as a waitress at Nino’s Steakhouse — dressed like a cowgirl complete with orange boots. The other waitresses helped me learn … but just for so long, as they had their own tables to serve, and they needed their tips as much as I needed mine. I learned about drinks from Art, the bartender, and made friends with the chef who let me take home four orders of surf and turf that had not been touched by the customers. That was a real treat for my husband and I as we had been living on canned Dinty Moore stew and pizza. I got the hang of it and worked there until we moved back to Ripon, where I could finish college. In the past 18 months I had learned what wasn’t my purpose in life.

Our purpose is not found in our careers alone. Once we decide to become parents, our purpose in life is to raise our children to become happy adults who contribute to society. If they become parents, we know we have done our job if they are good parents to our grandchildren. Our lives no longer belong to just us. We are now examples and role models for the next generations. Our purpose becomes future-focused.

I found some quotations that help illustrate the importance of finding purpose in life.

“The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” — Barbara Hall, TV writer and producer

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” — David Viscott, psychiatrist

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. To find your gift is happiness.” — Terry Pratchett, fantasy author

“Sometimes, it is only after you have lived that you recognize your life had a purpose, and likely one you never had in mind.” — Khaled Hosseini, novelist

There is no universal answer to the question, “What is the meaning of life?” When we realize the purpose of our life, we will be able to answer that question for ourselves. If we start to feel lost, it can help to return to our unique strengths and passions, and then put them to use. As Dolly Parton put it, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” In the end, what matters is not the breadth of our accomplishments, but how content we feel with each passing day.

Source: Inspiring Quotes

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NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

The center welcomes anyone who would like to entertain residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

The third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. has a Memory Cafe — a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Church on TV, 10 a.m.; have fun with the weekend packet, 6 p.m.

Monday: Movie, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; Scrabble, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nail day, 10 a.m.; Yarn Club, 11 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; early bird bingo, 1:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee chat, 10 a.m.; stack the mints, 10:30 a.m.; Bible verse, 11 a.m.; write a story, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Jenga, 10 a.m.; Bible verse, 11 a.m.; resident birthday party, 2 p.m.

Friday: Chair workout, 10 a.m.; Johnny Cash music, 10:30 a.m.; Bible verse, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Trivia paper — try to get them right, 10 a.m.; “The Wall” on the Game Show Network, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; “You Be the Judge,” 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; DT lunch, 11:15 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 3 p.m.; reminisce, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Tortilla Chip Day! Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Iron River Bible church, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; shopping trip, noon; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; Pictionary, 2 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Travel Club, 9:30 a.m.; coffee social 10 a.m.; parachute, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; smart shoppers, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; monthly birthday party with music and fun, 2 p.m.; crime movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/hangman, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.  

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Sunday devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; afternoon coffee, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Banana Bread Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; desserts and conversations, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Invasive Species Awareness Week, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; ice cream social, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; after dinner reminiscing, 5 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; National Strawberry Day, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee/movie, 1:30 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: First Sunday of Lent; coffee and spelling bee, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; popcorn and movie, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 p.m.; afternoon ride, 12:30 p.m.; Pictionary, 2 p.m.; Baptist church family singalong, 5 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; catch a phrase, 10:15 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; afternoon ride, 12:30 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: National Chili Day, rosary/communion, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; Scattegories, 10 a.m.; chili cook-off, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Hot cocoa bar, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Penny ante, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.; read a book

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; Sunday funday, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; you be the judge, 11 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; juice hour/who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; garbage, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Bunco, 10 a.m.; silly sound off game, 11:15 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 2 p.m.; bologna, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; joke of the day; drama club party, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles; drama club (morning practice).

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; Olympic torch, 11:15 a.m.; happy hour with Vicki and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; Friday night movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets, daily chronicles.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Tuesday: Chili, loaded baked potato, cheesy garlic bread.

Wednesday: Turkey and Swiss wrap, cup of chicken soup.

Thursday: Chicken parmesan on noodles, vegetable salad.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating at noon Monday through Thursday. Carryout meals, soup and salad bar are also available. Friday meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pasty pie, fancy applesauce, corn.

Tuesday: Cheeseburger, potato wedges, baked beans, brownie.

Wednesday: Chili, cornbread, applesauce.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans.

Crystal Falls Center

906-875-6709

The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout — call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pizza.

Tuesday: Baked chicken, potatoes.

Wednesday: Hamburger on a bun, french fries, baked beans.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 244

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. For more information, call Sarah VanMarter at 906-774-2256, ext. 244. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken bacon ranch, mashed potatoes, green beans, biscuit.

Tuesday: Italian wedding soup, ham and cheese slider, fruited Jell-O.

Wednesday: Tater tot casserole, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: French onion pork chops, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, brownie.

Friday: Chicken and dressing sandwich, mashed potatoes, corn.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents, with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards – Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Head cook: Joan Wickman, 906-246-3559

Program president: Lisa Casey, 906-282-7899.

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal at 11:30 a.m. and dessert to follow. Evening meal is served every third Wednesday of the month, with sponsored activities. Takeout meals are available. Delivery offered to homebound residents within Felch, West Branch and Breen townships.

Menu for the week –

Monday: Chicken soft tacos, Spanish rice, vegetable.

Tuesday: Chili, hard roll, vegetable, Jello with fruit.

Wednesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll, pudding.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Cook’s choice — entree, vegetable, dark green vegetable, fruit.

Tuesday: Hamburger soup with vegetables, cheese sandwich, fruit.

Wednesday: Winter picnic — sloppy Joes, potato salad, baked beans, peach cobbler.

Thursday: Cranberry chicken, baked sweet potato, roasted Brussel sprouts, fruit.

Friday: Creamy tomato soup, tuna salad on a croissant, dark green salad, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving on site Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491. Homebound meals will be delivered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Turkey spaghetti, Italian vegetables, Brussel sprouts, tropical fruit, whole wheat breadstick.

Tuesday: Cranberry glazed meatballs, garlic mashed potato, succotash vegetables, diced pears, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Birthday party! Swiss chicken, brown rice, Capri vegetables, peas, diced peaches, chocolate pudding cake.

Thursday: Broccoli cheddar soup, meat and cheese sandwich, copper penny salad, fresh fruit.

Milk available at all meals.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar opens at 11 a.m., with the meal served at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, salad bar opens at 3:30 p.m. with the meal at 4 p.m. Meals can be prepared for carryout.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich, cheesy potato soup.

Tuesday: Ground beef stroganoff over noodles.

Wednesday: Meatball sub sandwich, chips.

Thursday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation for the meal is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Transportation to the meal site is available. Bingo on Tuesday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Barbecue pork, twice-baked potato, stewed tomatoes, Mandarin orange, wheat bread.

Wednesday: Seasoned chicken filet, mashed potatoes, garlic parmesan beans, peaches, dinner roll.

Thursday: Baked fish, broccoli, cheesy potatoes, cole slaw, rye bread.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:30 a.m. Salad bar available from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11:15 to 11:30 a.m. — those attending should let staff know in advance if planning to dine in or picking up the meal. Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, wax beans.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with sausage and sauce, cauliflower, breadstick.

Wednesday: Ham and scalloped potatoes, biscuit, carrots.

Thursday: Chicken cordon bleu, rice, Brussel sprouts.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available. Dine-in meal is $5 and takeout meal is $6. Reservations are required and should specify if dining in or taking out. Come and enjoy a meal with us — all are welcome — any age. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread.

Thursday: Taco buffet.