You’ve Got a Friend In Me

Dorothy’s life began in the fields of rural Pennsylvania where she grew up on a small family farm. As the first of four children, two of whom were significantly younger than her, much of the farm work fell on her shoulders. She brought the horses into the barn, picked weeds in the corn fields, and even learned how to shoot and hunt. It was small, humble beginnings for what would be a life filled with adventure and service to others.

After so many years of others relying on her, Dorothy, almost 100 years old, finds herself able to do less than she used to and is having to increasingly rely on other people. She admits that she’s not able to get around as easily, and can’t see very well anymore–although that doesn’t seem to be the case when she’s crocheting or zipping around her room with her walker.

Nevertheless, she has not come to the point in her life where she is willing to relinquish the last of her independence by moving into a nursing home. Currently at an independent living community, with her own room, she’s used to being able to do what she wants when she wants.

“If I wanted to do something I figured out a way to do it,” she says.

And that is exactly what she’s done when it comes to accomplishing her daily tasks. She can’t go to the grocery store anymore, so she contacted Boulder County CareConnect to have her groceries delivered through Carry-Out Caravan, a free, volunteer-powered service for seniors in the community. It’s a lifesaver for her because it solves the challenge of having reliable access to food, yet allows her to remain in control of what she buys and eats. It’s more than just getting groceries delivered, however. As it was during her working years, her favorite thing about Carry-Out Caravan is the people. She has less contact with people these days, so she looks forward to connecting to the volunteers who help her every week with her groceries.

She loves getting to chat with them, both on the phone while placing her order, and later when her groceries are delivered. And after a lifetime of adventures, she has plenty of stories she loves to share, and the volunteers love to listen. They enjoy connecting on a weekly basis with Dorothy, and always mention their conversations with her as one of the highlights of their volunteer work. Like many people she’s met in life, BCCC has become like family to her and she continues to be like family to those around her.

“Love and be loved,” she says. “That’s what life is all about.”

And throughout her life, Dorothy has undoubtedly loved and been loved by many.

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