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 resident spotlight interview we did with Arlene.
Have you lived in other places besides Lynden?
I have. I was born in Montana and lived in different cities there, mainly Helena. I was born during a snowstorm with -30°F temperatures, and my parents had to walk to the hospital since no cars could drive. I moved from Montana to attend The State Normal School at Cheney, Washington, where I studied education after learning about the school from my older sister, who had moved to Spokane. After college, I moved to Puyallup, then Lynnwood, Bellingham and Lynden.
What was your first job?
My first job after college was teaching 2nd and 3rd grade in Puyallup. I specialized in reading, and I met my husband while I was working there.
What other types of work did you do before retiring?
Before I retired, I also taught at Liberty Elementary in Marysville, where I worked as a reading specialist. After teaching at Liberty and moving to Bellingham, I taught at Roosevelt Elementary, a beautiful wooden building with impressive wooden staircases throughout the school.
What was your favorite thing about the work you did?
My favorite thing about working in education was seeing the kids’ eyes light up when they finally understood something. Nothing compares to that sparkle. One fun memory is when I was driving back east and stopped at a service station. A little kid ran out and said she recognized me from inside with her dad. That’s the kind of thing that happens when you work in schools.
What is one thing that you have been most proud of in your life?
Watching the children learn and seeing that sparkle in their eyes was always a highlight for me. I helped a lot of kids with their reading, and that’s something that has stayed with them their whole lives. Another thing I’m proud of is all the traveling my husband and I have done. We started with tent camping and later got an RV, visiting almost every state in the U.S. I love the outdoors, camping, and exploring the world. I’ve been to the East Coast, driven to Alaska, traveled to Europe, China, Japan, and even toured the Tabasco Factory. We traveled the back roads and ate at diner counters to talk to locals—that’s how you really get to know them.
We would also always stop at local libraries and state capitals.
What is the hardest thing you’ve lived through, and how did you get through it?
The hardest thing I’ve lived through was the death of my parents. I eventually adjusted by leaning on my brother and sister, cherishing fond memories of our parents. I just did what I had to do.
What was your favorite decade and why?
My favorite decade was the ’60s, especially because it’s when I got married. I spent a lot of time outdoors, tent camping, traveling in our RV and seeing the world. We even took a boat trip from Alaska across the ocean to China and Japan, which was quite an adventure.
Do you have a favorite song, inspirational quote, or Bible verse?
An inspirational quote I live by is “live one day at a time and enjoy it.” Throughout my travels and work as an educator, I’ve tried to enjoy each day and live in the present—not in the past or the future.
What is one life lesson you learned from your parents?
One life lesson I learned from my parents was to be honest and truthful. They set great examples, and my brother, sister and I looked up to them a great deal.
What is one piece of advice you would give a 16-year-old person?
My advice to a 16-year-old is to live one day at a time and enjoy it. Life is long but goes by fast, so do what you love. Make time to create memories, work hard, and most importantly, have fun!
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you but you wish they did?
I wish people knew that I am a world traveler. I’m proud of having visited almost every state and multiple continents. I’m also proud of my quilting—I’ve entered the Lynden Fair and won a ribbon.
What is one thing that you like about living at CHCC?
I really enjoy the variety of activities at CHCC. They keep our minds active and enrich our learning with programs like indoor gardening. The patio and courtyard are also lovely for enjoying the garden. I love the flowers and vegetable garden, but mostly I enjoy soaking up the sun with other residents.