Hot Chocolate for Seniors: More Than 100 Heartwarming, Humorous, Inspiring Stories Written by Seniors, for Seniors, and About Seniors!

By Jan Fowler

Jan Fowler has created a sparkling diamond!

--Paul Ryan, Celebrity TV Talk Show Host for CBS, NBC, ABC; author of The Art of Comedy: Getting Serious about Being Funny

Entertaining, energetic, heartwarming! True-life accounts of real people from

all walks of life.

--Jackie Goldberg (The Pink Lady), Producer of Senior Star Power Productions Rockin With the Ages, The Musical, Hollywood

The perfect gift book for any senior!

--Bruce McAllister, award-winning author of Dream Baby

A wonderful collection of short stories to share and remember.

--Sherii Sherban, Publisher, Senior Times South Central Michigan

Getting back into the dating game after years, or even decades, in a relationship can be extremely difficult. This book will give you the encouragement, advice and direction to seek out your next true love.

--Daniel Waterloo, Director of Seniordating.org

Jan Fowler is the voice of todays senior! Stories about love and life, trials and victories, miracles in the unexpected and the funny, yet meaningful, moments in life.

--Barbara A. Berg, speaker, coach, author of How to Escape the No-win Trap and Ring Shui

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Nov 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781452539447

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Copyright © 2011 Jan Fowler.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ISBN: 978-1-4525-3945-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-3944-7 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-3946-1 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011916715

Balboa Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Balboa Press rev. date: 7/26/2012

WITH GRATITUDE

There are always special people on the sidelines who form the cheering squad. For as many seasons as it takes to reach the goal, they cheer you on with enthusiastic love and support. My loyal supporters have been my wonderful family, Janelle, Andy, Scott, and Mitchell Woodward; Dr. Kristen, Dr. Larry, and Lorenzo Fiorentino; Randy, Kel, Sophia, and Bella Schmitz; and David Weir for his enduring friendship and love. All have been a continuing source of joy to me over the years and I appreciate and love them dearly.

DEDICATION

This book is lovingly dedicated to you, the reader, and to seniors everywhere. Won’t you laugh with me, cry with me, sing and smile with me as you turn the pages of this book? Life is a song so my wish for you is that you do the things that makes your heart sing. There’s still so much magic left in life for us all to discover and enjoy.

PREFACE

Just make mine chocolate!

Who said you must be a chunk of cheese, bottle of wine, or keg of beer to improve with age? Why, we seniors do it all the time! In fact, we have a unique character of our own, all smoothed and honeyed by the passage of time. Like precious gems, we comprise an elite genre of society with an immense wealth of talent and experience to offer the world. Are you aware of just how many of our world’s most accomplished people are over sixty? Not only do we seniors have a lot to offer, but as today’s aging population, we can still pack a dazzling, powerful punch.

Just think, Ronald Reagan was nearly seventy when elected president of the United States, and served until he was seventy-seven. Winston Churchill was sixty-two when he became prime minister of England. Julia Childs was still writing best-selling cookbooks and demonstrating her mouth-watering French cuisine recipes on TV until she was well into her eighties. Astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn was shot into outer space a second time at age seventy-seven. California Governor Jerry Brown returned to office for a third term at seventy-three, and at eighty-nine, actress and show biz personality Betty White continues to dazzle us in the entertainment world. These are but a few shining examples of seniors with sizzle. The list goes on and on… If you don’t believe me, just look around. We still rock!

But unfortunately, we happen to live in a youth-obsessed culture that makes it all too easy to fall into a senior slump, a state of mind in which we feel all washed up or begin believing we’re too old to try something new. The truth is, we become old when we’re lulled into settling for a quiet, passive life and stop inviting new challenges. But if we tell ourselves we feel strong, vibrant, and are still smart enough at problem-solving—especially when baffled by all the new technology—we’re far more likely to exude good health, happiness, and prosperity.

And we seniors still have dreams to fulfill. Many of us haven’t even seen our greatest victories yet. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t till I reached my mid-sixties that my life really began to take off and my glorious odyssey began. I became a national columnist with two million readers, plus a speaker and television producer/host—things I had never dared to dream of doing when I was younger.

This season in life is also meant to be fun. Some days I feel wrapped in silk as I overflow with gratitude for my abundant happiness, loving friendships, good health, and joy received from taking part in FUN activities centered around community, church, volunteerism, children, grandchildren, and my speaking and writing career as an ambassador for seniors.

And finally, regarding the title of this anthology… I believe that one day it will be scientifically proven that chocolate is the answer to world peace. Oh, the wondrous, magical benefits of chocolate! Chocolate touches the heart, soothes the soul, arouses our taste buds, and even boosts our energy level. So wherever we are in this chocolate experience—be it dark, milk, white, powdered, syrup, or hot fudge topping—please, just make mine chocolate!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I happen to be a strong believer in group energy, so I took it upon myself to hand-pick three of the finest rocket-booster colleagues I could possibly find for my Dream Team. The value of a Dream Team is that when you surround yourself with people you love who also love you, you’ll get the lifting power you need. After all, even the most optimistic person in the world needs encouragement from time to time.

My talented Dream Team members were Susan Ullrich, my associate television producer; Kam Kalanui, my television production coordinator; and Shirley Huston, my director of marketing and literary agent/editor. All became trusted friends and capable advisors who always sought the best for me. The four of us met regularly each Wednesday at noon (I always provided them with lunch). And it wasn’t long before our meetings became so exciting that they turned into celebrations, with sparks of enthusiasm turbo-charging the air the minute they burst through the door, unable to contain their latest success or accomplishment with one or more aspects of Jan Fowler Senior Productions!

Soon my team grew to include the remarkable talents of a prestigious editorial staff, as well: Bruce McAllister, award-winning author, English professor emeritus, and book coach; Mike Foley, magazine editor/writer, and university writing instructor; Bobbe Monk, newspaper writer/editor with more than fifty years’ experience in journalism; Stephen Baetge, newspaper and magazine editor/journalist; and Karla Trosper, permissions editor, whose impressive skills to get through to the right person stem from her extensive marketing talents.

SPECIAL MENTION

Others who encouraged and inspired me along the way were Judy Rogers, Anne Sandel, Fran Gambino, Pat and Dan Damon, Norah Figueroa, Joan van Ommen, Connie Jury, Cheryl Flynn, Terri Guaglione, Lucille Caia, Inessa Niks, Amanda Secola (publisher/editor of Not Born Yesterday!), and my faithful Pen Women sisters.

I was also cheered on by the highly-spirited fun-loving Ellen Schouest, Lisa Layton, Cher Sadler, Barbara Park, Trish Wyper, Suzanne Owens, Anne Jackson, Amy Kamiyama, Sue McCluskey, Felice Brezsny, Kristy Parr, Martha Brossia, and Helen Donovan—all of whom share The Divine Secrets of the La-La Sisterhood and whose lips remain forever sealed.

On a more heavy-hearted note, I wish to honor the memory of the winsome Stephen Baetge, who served as editor-in-chief of Spectrum (Sacramento, CA) which published my columns weekly, for his years of humorous good-natured banter, guidance, encouragement, and support of this work.

Most especially, I thank my wonderful contributing authors from the bottom of my heart for sharing their personal true-life stories. I send each one special love for they have done what we all must do—leave written memories as a legacy for our families to enjoy. Doing so helps fill the empty spaces in our hearts.

I will always be appreciative of my many wonderful television guests who graciously shared their valuable tips and insights for senior living and who applauded me for Hot Chocolate for Seniors before it was even started! Among these loyal supporters was eighty-eight-year-old Juanita Kelly who always called at the precise moment when I needed a lift during my arduous two-year book-writing journey.

And where would I ever be without the cheerful dependability and quality editorial services of Susan Snowden? Susan has the eye of an eagle. No detail ever escapes her attention. (www.snowdeneditorial.com).

I am also grateful for the many computer rescue missions and amazing wizardry of Dimitri Niks, Jim Johnson, Doug Wilson, Russ Dalton, Steven Wise, and Kevin Brennan and Mike Riddle at Inland Empire Computers www.inlandempirecomputers.com.

My thanks to publishing guru Dan Poynter for carrying several calls for story submissions for this book in his monthly newsletters and for always answering my questions, no matter where he happened to be in the world (http://ParaPublishing.com.)

My deep appreciation also goes to Bob Marckini for inviting readers of his monthly Proton Cancer Treatment newsletter to submit stories for my book (www.protonbob.com or [e-mail])

I will always be grateful for the effervescent loyalty and enduring friendships of Barbara Berg, Melanie Fleming, Andrea Giambrone, Jackie Goldberg (The Pink Lady), Kathleen Ronald, and Gloria Loring—all of whom were razzle-dazzle keynote speakers for Starburst Inspirations, my nonprofit corporation which supports Drug Court. I thank them all for their encouragement and unfaltering faith in my ability to reach my goals.

I also extend great appreciation to my loving sparkling high-voltage spirit sisters, Joanna Mersereau, Katie Robinson, Edelgard Schweitzer, Nan Sherman, Rebecca Gibson, and Sharon Kauffman, who enlarged my vision each week by filling me with beauty and sunshine from their souls.

And lastly, my deepest appreciation goes to the brilliant, talented, and delightfully entertaining Paul Ryan, my television hosting coach at CBS, who inspired the idea for this book in the first place.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Preface

Acknowledgments

Special Mention

Chapter 1: Angels’ Wings & Other Unexplained Mysteries

The Wallet

Protected by Prayer

More Than Coincidence

I Remember How the Fiddle Played

The Little Messenger

The Butterfly Riddle

Prayers in a Box

Mountaintop Experience

The Forester Counselor

Joys of a Great Grandchild

Chapter 2: Falling In Love Again

Five Small Diamonds

Wedding Bells Ring Again

Great New Life after Fifty!

Finding Healing and Romance at Loma Linda

The Courage to Place the Ad

Classmates Marry Sixty-One Years Later

Too Young to Give Up on Life

The Second Time Around

Chance Meeting

New Love after Cancer

Love Lasted Sixty Years

Chapter 3: Animal Blessings

Animals I Have Known

Just Daisy

The Summer of No Flowers

Royal Pooch on the Loose

The Riot Horse

He Made Me Love Him

To Err is Human, to Forgive is Feline

WHAT WAS I THINKING?!!

To My Golden Girl

Chapter 4: War & Peace

The Girl with the Apple

The War Secret

Christmas 1945 at Camp 347

The Dis-Orderly Day

The Greatest Generation

Vovochka

Graveyard Shift

Chapter 5: Portraits In Time

Burnt Toast

Making the Grade

Saturday Afternoons at the Movies

The Soda Jerk

The Butcher

Love, Uncle Marty

Priceless Gifts

The Wedding Present

Memories of Bubie

Did You Hear Me?

Stop, Charley, Stop!

MiLouise

Chapter 6: Hot Dogs & Mustard For Sports Fans

Every Second Counts

Orange Bowl Warm-Up

My First Parachute Jump

Three Runs, One Hit, and Two Errors

Ole’s Hakai Pass

Special Moments

Chapter 7: Spit, Feathers, & Other Humorous Philosophies

The Many Uses of Spit

Grouch Prevention 101

Laughter

An Evening at the Chicken Ranch Brothel

Ms. Malaprop

Deer Camp

The Living End

Just Call Me Emeril

Lucille Ball

Shy Suitor

Fountain of Youth

We Are the Young

Thirties Nostalgia Leaves Much to be Desired

The Tell - Tale Truth about Trash

Chapter 8: Sacred Moments

Three Strings

Picnics at Shady Nook

May Day Friends Forever

Washing Dishes in the Great Northwoods

Please Keep Those Phones Ringing!

The First Time I Met Stella

Saved by a Hat

Slivovitz

A Drawer Full of Memories

Sweetie Pie

The Pacifier

Memories are Made of This

Chapter 9: When Dreams Come True

The Tunnel Tree

Aqua and Beautiful

Farm Girl Goes Hollywood

Dancing the Irish Way

About Whoopi Goldberg

A Gift to Remember

Chapter 10: Helping Hands, Hopeful Hearts

Seventy-Five Cents, Exact Change

Pray for Alice!

Locked Inside

The Block Party

The Helping Hand

Chapter 11: Memorable Memorials

You Gotta Laugh!

A Living Memorial

Unforgettable Moments

The Builder

Where Lilies Grow

Chapter 12: Never Too Late

Back to Space

Young at Heart

Where Is China Camp?

Never Too Late to Change

The Best is Yet to Come

Finding My Place in the Desert

An Unforgettable Gift

Chapter 13: And So It Goes

The Clothes Chute

I Believe in Facebook!

I Danced All Night

Senior Moments

The Rummage Sale

A Matter of Style

It’s Still a Good Run

Growing Up

Chapter 14: Words Of Pearly Wisdom

When All You’ve Ever Wanted Isn’t Enough

Money

The Story of the Queen Bee

Letter to Page

Find Your Magic Star

Seniorless Seniors

Your Problem is a Gift

Senior Savvy

About The Author

Chapter 1:

ANGELS’ WINGS & OTHER UNEXPLAINED MYSTERIES

The Wallet

by Arnold Fine

As I stumbled home one freezing day, I happened upon a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.

The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then I saw the date—1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years earlier.

It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder-blue stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a Dear John letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him anymore because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him. It was signed Hannah.

It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way, except for the name Michael, to identify the owner. Maybe if I called information, the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.

Operator, I began, this is an unusual request. I’m trying to find the owner of a wallet that I found. Is there any way you can tell me if there is a phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?

She suggested I speak with her supervisor, who hesitated for a moment, then said, Well, there is a phone listing at that address, but I can’t give you the number. She said that as a courtesy she would call that number, explain my story, and ask whoever answered if the person wanted her to connect me. I waited a few minutes and then the supervisor was back on the line. I have a party who will speak with you.

I asked the woman on the other end of the line if she knew anyone by the name of Hannah. She gasped. Oh! We bought this house from a family who had a daughter named Hannah. But that was thirty years ago!

Would you know where that family could be located now? I asked.

I remember that Hannah had to place her mother in a nursing home some years ago, the woman said. Maybe if you got in touch with them, they might be able to track down the daughter.

She gave me the name of the nursing home, and I called the number. The woman on the phone told me the old lady had passed away some years ago, but the nursing home did have a phone number for where the daughter might be living.

I thanked the person at the nursing home and phoned the number she gave me. The woman who answered explained that Hannah herself was now living in a nursing home.

This whole thing is stupid, I thought to myself. Why am I making such a big deal over finding the owner of a wallet that has only three dollars and a letter that is almost sixty years old?

Nevertheless, I called the nursing home in which Hannah was supposed to be living, and the man who answered the phone told me, Yes, Hannah is staying with us.

Even though it was already 10 p.m., I asked if I could come by to see her. Well, he said hesitatingly, if you want to take a chance, she might be in the day room watching television.

I thanked him and drove over to the nursing home. The night nurse and a guard greeted me at the door. We went up to the third floor of the large building. In the day room, the nurse introduced me to Hannah. She was a sweet silver-haired old-timer with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye.

I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. The second she saw the powder-blue envelope with that little flower on the left, she took a deep breath and said, Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael.

She looked away for a moment, deep in thought, and then said softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only sixteen at the time and my mother felt I was too young. Oh, he was so handsome. He looked like Sean Connery, the actor.

Yes, she continued, Michael Goldstein was a wonderful person. If you should find him, tell him I think of him often. And, she hesitated for a moment, almost biting her lip, tell him I still love him. You know, she said, smiling as tears welled up in her eyes, I never did marry. I guess no one ever matched up to Michael…

I thanked Hannah and said good-bye. I took the elevator to the first floor and as I stood by the door, the guard there asked, Was the old lady able to help you?

I told him she had given me a lead. At least I have a last name. But I think I’ll let it go for a while. I spent almost the whole day trying to find the owner of this wallet.

I had taken out the wallet, which was a simple brown leather case with red lacing on the side. When the guard saw it, he said, Hey, wait a minute! That’s Mr. Goldstein’s wallet. I’d know it anywhere with that bright red lacing. He’s always losing that wallet. I must have found it in the halls at least three times.

Who’s Mr. Goldstein? I asked, as my hand began to shake.

He’s one of the old-timers on the eighth floor. That’s Mike Goldstein’s wallet for sure. He must have lost it on one of his walks.

I thanked the guard and quickly ran back to the nurse’s office. I told her what the guard had said. We went back to the elevator and got on. I prayed that Mr. Goldstein would be up.

On the eighth floor, the floor nurse said, I think he’s still in the day room. He likes to read at night. He’s a darling old man.

We went to the only room that had any lights on, and there was a man reading a book. The nurse went over to him and asked if he had lost his wallet. Mr. Goldstein looked up with surprise, put his hand in his back pocket, and said, "Oh, it is missing!"

This kind gentleman found a wallet and we wondered if it could be yours.

I handed Mr. Goldstein the wallet, and the second he saw it, he smiled with relief and said, Yes, that’s it! It must have dropped out of my pocket this afternoon. I want to give you a reward.

No, thank you, I said. But I have to tell you something. I read the letter in the hope of finding out who owned the wallet.

The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. You read that letter?

Not only did I read it, I think I know where Hannah is.

He suddenly grew pale. Hannah? You know where she is? How is she? Is she still as pretty as she was? Please, please tell me, he begged.

She’s fine… just as pretty as when you knew her, I said softly.

The old man smiled with anticipation and asked, Could you tell me where she is? I want to call her tomorrow. He grabbed my hand and said, You know something, mister? I was so in love with that girl that when that letter came, my life literally ended. I never married. I guess I’ve always love her.

Michael, I said, come with me.

We took the elevator down to the third floor. The hallways were darkened and only one or two little night lights lit our way to the day room, where Hannah was sitting alone, watching the television.

The nurse walked over to her.

Hannah, she said softly, pointing to Michael, who was waiting with me in the doorway. Do you know this man?

She adjusted her glasses, looked for a moment, but didn’t say a word.

Michael said softly, almost in a whisper, Hannah, it’s Michael. Do you remember me?

She gasped. Michael! I don’t believe it! Michael! It’s you! My Michael!

He walked slowly toward her, and they embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces.

See, I said. See how the good Lord works! If it’s meant to be, it will be.

About three weeks later, I got a call at my office from the nursing home. Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!

It was a beautiful wedding, with all the people at the nursing home dressed up to join in the celebration. Hannah wore a light beige dress and looked beautiful. Michael wore a dark blue suit and stood tall. They made me their best man.

The hospital gave them their own room, and if you ever wanted to see a seventy-six-year-old bride and a seventy-nine-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple.

A perfect ending for a love affair that had lasted nearly sixty years.

Reprinted with the kind permission of Arnold Fine, © 1998 Arnold Fine.

Arnold Fine is a writer, educator, newspaper and magazine journalist and photographer whose career spanned more than fifty years. He was also a teacher and coordinator for brain-injured