Everyone has unique experiences in life. Each person has a story to tell and words of wisdom that can be shared with others. With that in mind, we’d like to introduce you to some of the wonderful people who live here at CHCC. Here is a recent Q&A session we did with Bill M.
Q: Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
A: The page isn’t long enough for all the places I have lived, but a few of them included Seattle, Mill Valley and Stinson Beach, California. I also lived in England for 10 years, and I met my wife there.
Q: What industry did you retire from?
A: I retired from the Ford Motor Company. I was the sales manager for the Middle East and Africa.
Q: What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
A: The whole job was my favorite thing. I got to meet new people, see new countries and experience different perspectives. I was able to travel to over 80 countries, so there was never a dull moment. It was a lovely time.
My favorite country to visit was Denmark because of the people. Their attitudes were very respectful, trusting and generous. My Danish manager once let me stay at his cabin, which he always kept unlocked. I asked him why he did that, and he told me that no one there would break into it. When I arrived, the fridge was stocked with food. Very generous.
I remember that there was a nice theme park in Denmark — kind of like a quiet Disney World, but you didn’t have to pay to get in. You left a donation based on how much you enjoyed your time. I didn’t think that would work, but visitors left donations to make sure it kept going for other people. I was blown away by the country.
Q: If you could have any type of food, what would it be?
A: Corned beef and hash. We used to eat quite a bit of it when I was growing up in California. We ate the canned stuff; it was nice and tasty, and it was easy to eat. I also had some in Ireland once. I haven’t had it for years.
Q: What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
A: Marrying my wife Thea.
[Editor’s note: Thea has personally sponsored pet visits to CHCC by Animals as Natural Therapy. Those visits are a delight for Bill, all residents and even CHCC staff members. Thank you, Thea!]
Q: What is one thing you did or experienced that was scary?
A: I was in the Navy for four years and was an aviation instructor. A scary experience was being shot at when I was flying an airplane over Hawaii during practice maneuvers. I prayed; I never got hit.
Q: What was your favorite decade to live in, and why?
A: I’m not there yet, so how could I tell? Each decade has been great so far, so how could I ask for better?
Q: What is one life lesson that you learned from your parents?
A: My parents taught me to always tell the truth.
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would give a 16-year-old person today?
A: Mind your own business. [Said with a laugh.]
Q: What is one thing most people don’t know about you, but you wish they did?
A: I brush my teeth regularly [laughs]. No, the one thing would be that I used to do leather work. I learned the craft while I was in the Navy and had to spend some time in Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in California. Leather work helped keep me from getting bored. I made belts, purses and wallets, and I ended up teaching classes at the hospital.
Q: You’ve lived through other historical events — wars and recessions and such. What do you think of the pandemic that we’re living through now?
A: It’s here to teach us a lesson, like to keep clean and be respectful of others.
Q: What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
A: It is in a very nice location with a lot of dedicated people who work here. I think a lot of it has to do with the Lynden community. Lynden is a nice town. I like everything about this place, great staff.