“Mine, mine, mine,” came from the gym to the right. Sounds of balls were crackling as they hit paddles, the noise echoing through the gym and out into the lobby. There are so many opportunities offered at Evergreen Commons. The activities are endless with Zumba class and the pool opening at 6:00 am.
The average age of adults at Evergreen Commons is 75. These adults have 57-60 more years of life experience than today’s high school-aged kids. With decades of experience and lessons learned, older adults provide important advice. By hearing their life stories and considering their points of view, teenagers can learn valuable life advice they can use in the future.
In the dining room of Evergreen Commons, eight older adults agreed to share one piece of life advice.
Eileen Yates and Angie Vandewarker, a mother and daughter were the first two people to state pieces of advice for today’s teenagers. These women sat in the Evergreen cafeteria, at a wooden table off to the right. After hearing the question, with no doubt in their minds, both women with smiles on their faces said, “Serve the Lord.”
Vandewarker and Yates believe in and serve God and advise today’s teens to do the same. They encourage teens to grow up knowing and serving God. “Commit your ways to the Lord and he will direct your paths, always put him first,” Vandewarker said. Vandewarker and Yates explained how the Lord played a big role in their lives and why they believe in Him so strongly to this day.
Vandewarker was in a horrible car accident when she was a young adult. Shortly after topping her car off with gas, her life changed immensely. One mistake put her life on the line. Vandewarker pulled out in front of a semi-truck, causing it to run over her car after pulling out on 31 and Riley. Yates said that it was an angel sent from God that saved Vandewarker’s life. Moments after the car accident, a woman in a nursing outfit climbed up on the hood and performed a medical action that allowed Vandewarker to breathe. If not for this woman, Vandewarker wouldn’t know if she would’ve made it until the paramedics arrived. This woman saved her life.
Vandewarker and Yates still do not know who this woman was but they believe she was at the right place at the right time to save Vandewarker’s life and that it was surely because of God.
Constant prayers were sent out to Vandewarker, and they were shortly answered. “Five days later she came home from the hospital, that was just an answered prayer, ” Yates said. Months later Vandewarker was married and graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with Honors. Yates and Vandewarker both end the conversation by saying, “Thank you, Jesus.”
The next individual to share his advice was John Madison whose life advice formed from a young age. At five years old he was diagnosed with polio. Madison was unable to do normal childhood activities such as running and playing. Madison said, “You have got to be able to solve many many problems.” With a childhood unlike others, he found a way to overcome all the problems he faced.
“I had to find a skill I was good at. I could sail a boat. I became really good at it,” Madison said. Although life did not go as planned for him, he found a way to enjoy every moment even with obstacles. In addition, he learned his hidden talent which ended up being sailing. He said, “Keep going to school, whatever it takes because you are never going to be smart enough unless you keep going and get all the classes you can because you never know what you’re gonna do in life.” The paths you choose for your career may not always be what you pursue later in life, so as Madison said, keep going to school because you can not outsmart the world. Adding onto this, Madison said, “You got to be ready to make the moves when moves happen.” When Madison faced an incredible challenge, he met it and beat it.
Madison wraps the conversation up by addressing communication. “People have problems and want to talk to you about them the only way you’re gonna solve them is to let them communicate with you,” Madison said. Being able to communicate and overcome obstacles proved to be prevalent in Madison’s life and is good advice for everyone.
At the next table in the Evergreen Commons cafeteria sat Cliff Halmrast, Mike Winkler, and Judith Bergsma, each with wise words of advice. To begin, Halmrast thought back to his teenage years. Halmrast said, “In high school, you don’t realize that these are the best years of your life.” He talks about how when he looks back on his high school years he wished he cherished them more and “buckled down” and “studied hard” in school. “Those years are gone; you will never get them back,” said Halmrast. High school years pass quickly, it’s important to embrace all the opportunities and work hard in school.
Next, Winkler and Halmrast touched on advice for future jobs and careers. Young adults need to find a career that they love and enjoy. “Find something you enjoy doing and you never work a day in your life,” Winkler said. Winkler knows that this quote isn’t his own but it is an important piece of advice. This advice is also important to Halmrast because it represents an area of his life. He said, “I loved my job, I loved going to work every day.” Halmrast worked as a tool and die maker and loved creating things. He chose his job because he had a passion for it and enjoyed doing it, which he believed should be the only way to choose a career.
Halmrast said, “Never decide on a career because of money.” Choosing a career based on money will lead to misery in a job. Thankfully Halmrast loved his work because he chose a job that he enjoyed.
In contrast, another adult at Evergreen Commons, Doug Slade, claims that it is important to have a job with a solid income as an adult. Slade’s grandmother once gave him his best advice which proved to be important in his future. Slade said, “My grandmother gave me the best piece of advice, and thank God she gave it to me.” Slade’s grandma said that when he goes into the workplace, Slade must make enough money to support all of his family, including his extended family. Little did his grandmother know this advice would change Slade and his family’s future.
Slade said, “Right now my oldest nephew passed away two years ago from leukemia, and left a wife who couldn’t drive and two kids. And I supported the kids with college education programs.” Slade explained how when his nephew passed away, he knew he had to step up to support his family. In addition to paying for the children’s college education, he saved the family from bankruptcy. Slade said that his nephew’s wife had come to him and said that she was financially struggling and going to file for bankruptcy. He knew he couldn’t let this happen and helped pay the family’s bills.
Not only do these older adults provide inspiring life stories, but they know more than many teenagers today may think. These adults have experienced more life than teens today making it important to hear their outlook after all those years. Advice from older adults can help guide teens through their high school years and life beyond. Hearing the advice these adults have to share with teenagers today may be helpful when experiencing changes or challenges in life. Next time an older adult or grandparent gives you advice, pause to consider it, as it could impact your life in unexpected ways.
