The Adventure of Life Is About Learning
We love having the opportunities to share the stories told by the residents who call Kingsway Retirement Living home. Hearing the stories from older generations helps to ensure that their memories are passed down. We recently visited with Bill, a Kingsway resident, to listen to his stories.
Growing up
Bill grew up on a farm in South Dakota. At that time, the women primarily raised the children while the men worked in the fields.
Bill was blessed to grow up with two grandmothers who both spoke German, the main language spoken in their home. As he grew up, Bill learned to speak both English and German.
He tells a funny story about when he started taking a German class in school. On his first day, the teacher asked in German for someone to shut the blinds. She didn’t even realize that she had spoken in German. Bill quickly stood up to shut the blinds before anyone else even realized what had happened.
Thanks to his grandmothers’ teaching and his becoming fluent in two languages, Bill had many doors to learning opportunities start opening for him.
Finding his passion
Music was intertwined in Bill’s family throughout his youth and into adulthood. His sister played the piano, while Bill played the saxophone and sang in multiple choirs. He enjoyed music, but it was not his biggest passion.
If you ask Bill about his biggest passion, he’ll find the nearest window. While looking outside, he’ll say, “Just look out there at all the possibilities of nature and the outdoors. The air we breathe, the wind that blows, it all happens for specific reasons.”
That’s right, Bill is passionate about science, along with nature and the outdoors.
Getting his education
With his passion for science, Bill wanted to focus on that while in college. Thanks to his hard work and dedication to his family while growing up, Bill’s father offered to pay for his first year of school.
After completing his first year of college, Bill was determined to continue studying and earn his degree. He worked part-time to pay his way. Upon graduation, Bill had zero debt and even more passion for science.
Bill started his first job in a biochemistry lab doing analytical work when he got another opportunity. He joined the military and served his country for two years. Fortunately, he was able to return to his previous company and continue his education.
But this time would be different. He wouldn’t be studying by day while working at night. He worked for the lab and enrolled in one class each quarter.
Family adventures
As time passed, Bill built a life for himself and his family that included his wife Joann (Joey) and their three children Tom, Sue, and Todd. Some of Bill’s fondest memories are spending time with his family traveling in a motorhome. Each year, the family would travel to the Black Hills in South Dakota.
Being outside in nature was a favorite activity for his family. The couple often shared their time with the local Explorer Scouts. They would often take a group of children camping. Together, Bill and Joey dedicated 22 years to the organization where they enjoyed some of the best experiences of their lives.
As fond as these memories are for Bill, they do not compare to how he felt standing by Joey’s side as each of their children was brought into this world. If there was any moment Bill could relive, just for a second, he would go back to each of those special and wonderful moments and just hold onto them one more time. These are the moments he holds closest to his heart.
Always be learning
Bill believes we should always be learning. To really follow his advice, we must learn how to listen. It’s hard to learn when you’re speaking. That’s for when you’re teaching. Every day, Bill has been given opportunities to continue learning. For him, it has always a choice to be open to opportunities to learn.
“If you see an open door in front of you, continue to be open to a new perspective or an opportunity to grow in your knowledge of the world around us.”
When you call Kingsway Retirement Living home, like Bill, you’ll never stop learning. Our residents benefit from an activity calendar packed full of exciting new opportunities. Learn more today. Contact Alexa at info@tlha.org or (952) 873-5900.