When Audrey lived in Taipei, Taiwan for a year, she was a very particular shopper. Storekeepers listened patiently as she used great detail to describe the precise item she sought– stipulating its size, colors, shape, and design. But Audrey really wasn’t picky, and her true purpose was not to purchase something specific. Audrey shopped to learn. She used these daily excursions to practice her Chinese vocabulary and become more fully immersed in the culture that surrounded her.
Taiwan is just one of the diverse locations that Audrey has called home. She has also lived in New York, Germany, Japan, and Kansas. She has a strong sense of adventure; she loves learning; and she has a deep appreciation for the arts. She lives fully, no matter where she resides.
Audrey moved to Redmond three years ago. She sorted through the countless things that filled the home she’d shared with her late husband, donated her beloved piano to a local nonprofit organization, packed up all of the meaningful artwork she’d collected over the years, and left Kansas behind. She was eager to see her grandchildren more often; she was ready to open up a new chapter of her life in Western Washington.
Audrey attempted to adjust and adapt to her new environment—as she had always done. But it wasn’t so easy this time. The process of downsizing and relocating after the loss of her husband was much more difficult than she’d imagined. She explains, “It was very, very traumatic. Frankly, I just wasn’t myself for the first two years.”
Audrey discovered Volunteer Transportation as she transitioned to her new life in Redmond. She was afraid to drive longer distances, and her dentist’s office informed her that the program’s volunteer drivers could take her to her appointments in Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland. She was delighted.
The volunteer drivers have been very welcoming and kind to Audrey. She enjoys their conversations during rides, and she doesn’t know what she’d do without the program. She makes an effort to tell each and every volunteer how much she appreciates their help. Audrey says, “I tell them how important their volunteer work is—that it’s a wonderful contribution to our community.” She adds, “It’s a great service, and it’s much, much needed.”
Audrey, who is now 82, credits Volunteer Transportation for helping her to feel more at home in the Pacific Northwest. Starting anew was not easy, and it took some time to get her bearings straight. But Audrey is her determined, creative, and curious self once again.
*You can help more local seniors like Audrey get “on the road” to improved health and peace of mind! Volunteer drivers are needed throughout King County. If you have a reliable vehicle, clean driving record, and some weekday availability, this is the role for you. Call (206) 748-7588, email Hilary at hilaryc@seniorservices.org, or visit http://www.seniorservices.org/transportation to find out more. Discover why rides change lives!
