Elder Life Story by Lilja Waliewski

Module 2: Elder Life Story part 1

waliewlt — 2024-09-09 21:35:41 UTC

What was it like growing up in your house?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 02:03:01 UTC

"Growing up in my house it was pretty normal. Except the fact that we moved around a lot when I was a kid. I moved around 21 times before I was 21. I had to ask my father, Charlie, every school I attended. It was for college and to apply to the navy."

What schools did you attend?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 03:14:56 UTC

"I went to school for a total of 11 years. I went to UW Madison for undergraduate. Which was I think 5 or 6 years. And then I went to Michigan. I changed majors while I was at Wisconsin because I was failing architecture. My father was so disappointed. I decided to change my major to pre-med and loved it. I ended up teaching as a teacher assistant. Then when I went to Michigan I went into pathology."

What's your favorite holiday? Why?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 03:25:22 UTC

"Any holiday that we get all together is my favorite. Either with the children, grandchildren, or with the in-laws. I am happy to be in a crowd with our relations. Either my mom or dad side. Sometimes it is always interesting to catch up with people. With old things and new things. I like to see why they chose to do the things they do. Change is not always satisfactory and everyone makes wrong little turns. But it always ends up putting them where they belong."

Where do you want to be in 10 years? What do you want to be doing?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 03:26:47 UTC

"As of recently I don't know if I have 10 years life. I have lived a very good life with my family and friends. But if I did live for more than 10 years I would love to go to North Carolina or Montana with the whole family one more time."

Did you play a sport growing up?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 03:31:25 UTC

"I did! I played football throughout high school and college. I went to school for football in Wisconsin. I went to the Rosebowl during college and we lost terribly. My father left during halftime."

What was your favorite subject in school?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 03:34:14 UTC

"I was in engineering at first but I did not like it at all. I was failing. And then I changed my major for more of a science field. So I went into pre-med and then pathology."

How did you meet your spouse?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 03:36:52 UTC

"Linda and I met in school at UW Madison. I was her anatomy teacher in medical school and we ended up having mutual friends. She was a Alpha Phi and I was a Delta Eplison. We started dating and then I moved to Seattle to start working while she was still in school. I actually asked her to marry me over the phone. I don't think she was very pleased that it was in person but she still accepted. We were married for 38 years. Linda passed away in December of 2006 from breast cancer."

Did you severe in the military? What was that time like?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:12:59 UTC

"I served for only a couple of years. Growing up as an army brat, I needed to enlist. I enlisted as a doctor. I was in the Navy at Channel Lake in California. I enjoyed parts of it. I became interested in the wounds that some of the soldiers had. After being a doctor, I knew I wasn't interested in talking to patients. I didn't want to deal with the personal aspect of care and to do more of the research aspect of care."

Where did you work?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:15:53 UTC

"I worked in Appleton Wisconsin. I got the job from a friend who was a doctor at this hospital. Linda didn't want to return to Wisconsin because she grew up there. It was probably the best decision we made because both sides of our families lived there. So our kids got to grow up with their cousins, aunts, and uncles."

Do you have children? Tell me what it was like to be a parent.

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:17:47 UTC

"Well, being a parent I wasn't really around much because I was working at the hospital. Long hours, long nights. Linda did most of the parenting but sometimes I would have things to say. I have 4 children. Chris, Jeni, Caleb, and Adrianna. All of the kids are pretty spread out in age but they all get along."

Do you have grandchildren? Tell me about them.

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:21:18 UTC

"I have 9 grandchildren. Madison, Ian, Lilja, Michela, Ray, Brendan, Cody, Lousia, and June. When all of the children are together, all the ruckus and chaos comes. They are all funny in their little ways. I like hearing what every one of them is up to. They are growing up so fast. One minute Madison was the first grandchild and now I am 83 years old June was born."

What was the hardest thing you ever had to do?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:23:34 UTC

"I had eye surgery not too long ago. I think it was about 2 years ago. I had extra fluid going to the back of my eyes which blocked my vision. That was a very scary time. I was living alone and I couldn't see. I called my kids telling them I needed them which they helped out with. I couldn't drive anywhere or do basic things around the house. After the surgery, I was able to see much better, which I am grateful for."

What was your favorite memory?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:25:31 UTC

"Oh man. I love watching the grandchildren eating ice cream for the first time. Madison never had anything cold in her mouth. I think this was when she was about 2 years old and talking. She had one bite of vanilla ice cream and you thought she was going to explode! She was hooked instantly to ice cream. Now, all of the grandchildren love ice cream and we always eat it together."

What's the best part of aging?

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:27:32 UTC

"Oh, I can eat whatever I want! But mostly that I have so much free time to do whatever. Like fishing, eating, going to see different places. All of our family vacations whether it was a new place or old place always gave me the most pleasure."

My letter to my grandfather

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 04:58:42 UTC

Reflection Assignment

waliewlt — 2024-12-03 05:18:41 UTC