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Drop in With Debbie September Blog

Drop in With Debbie: Introducing our featured blogger, Debbie Noel

Hello Readers,

Debbie Noel at the Beach

Why do you want to read this blog? Well, if you are of a “certain age”, as they say, you will enjoy hearing about others in our age bracket. If you are one of the younger set, you will be inspired and appreciative of others in your community. For everyone, there will be tidbits about restaurants and interesting places around Longmont. At times, the writing will provoke thoughts and discussion – maybe even a call to action. What I can say is that you don’t want to turn away.

My Story

So, let’s start with introductions. I am Debbie Noel.  Early in my career, I worked in child-care and then ran inner city after-school programs and summer camps. I counseled prisoners and worked with female inmates as they transitioned back into the community. This was in Pennsylvania where I was born and raised in a small-town community.

Then, 26 years ago, a bizarre incident occurred with a gun. I was visiting a friend who carelessly left a gun lying on the sofa. The gun fell down the cracks of the sofa cushion. That night, there was a get-together with lots of guests, and a three year old child found the gun in the cushions, picked it up and pulled the trigger. The bullet shot into the kitchen where I was standing, hit my shoulder and severed my spinal column. I live permanently paralyzed from the breast-line down.  Have you, Reader, ever experienced a traumatic change in your life, albeit divorce, accidents, death of a loved one? We all have situations that to one degree or another we pinpoint as that life-changing moment. Many of us have several of those times in our lives.

Yet life goes on.  Back in those years, I continued my career path as a reporter and editor for a Pennsylvania newspaper with a unique beat that focused on community issues and solutions. Then I was asked to be the marketing director, grant writer and eventually president of a company that served people with disabilities. I wrapped up my career years in Pennsylvania government as project manager that worked on changing policy, procedures and laws for those who were aging or for people with disabilities.

Debbie in 1996
Debbie speaking at a VIA eventDrop in With Debbie Noel with Daughter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now retired, I continue to serve others by making cards of encouragement for several agencies that focus on people who are disenfranchised in their local community as well for people who are chronically ill or dying, and those with long-term disabilities. I volunteer by facilitating a writing salon and scripting this monthly blog for Longmont community.  I willingly promote the work of VIA, a non-profit transportation service for those aging and disabled. I am a new, but now regular, attendee of the Boulder County Local Coordinating Council – where members work together to bridge the gap between transportation and human service agencies to serve the vulnerable populations in our community. My strengths lie in areas of creativity, organization, persistence and leadership. My personal mission is that we find our happiness most in serving others. 

If you hear a theme in my introduction, it is that life can be fulfilling and joyful with whatever life brings our way.  Almost three years ago, as part of that life-changing process, I moved to Longmont and have since turned a garage in my daughter and son-in-law’s home into my tiny house. For those who visit, they recognize my artist’s studio and my spa-like colors.  It’s a small space – 240 sq. ft. – but I have such joy living independently –for that I am still able to do – as well as having the loving nearness of family just a door away.
 
Dear Reader, I would love to hear about your living situations. Many of us, in today’s economic-challenged times, seek alternative living solutions. We down-size; we live in multi-generational homes; we take on roommates.  What are your creative ideas for home-life as you age?
 

Retired Life

Notwithstanding, now as a retiree, I am in a lovely new stage of life. My faith, grandchildren, art work, writing, teaching and new activities continue to delight, encourage and inspire me.  As an illustration, let me tell you an example of how this “old goat” can still learn.
 
Drop in With Debbie Noel in Donna Clements ClassOne of my favorite teachers at the Longmont Senior Center is Donna Clement. Donna received her BFA at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and her MA in visual arts with a specialization in art education from the University of Northern Colorado, with a thesis titled: “Teaching Adult Students Who Are Apprehensive About Making Art.” Donna’s art has been shown in galleries and shows across the country since the ‘70s. She worked 20 years as a set designer/scenic artist. Selling her own lamp-worked glass-beaded jewelry was her first small business. Now for the past 2 decades she has been a botanical illustrator for Botanical Interests. She continues her freelance illustration work and for the past eight years, Longmont Senior Center has been fortunate to have Donna as a part of their teaching roster. “I have found that I really enjoy teaching,” she says. Longmont residences also have the pleasure of her successful small business as a muralist. Her artwork can be viewed often at local art shows as well as Longmont Library in the children’s biography section and at 11th and Kimbark on the SW corner as a painted electric box. I have taken numerous classes with her and continue to be challenged and learn from her calm and patient teaching style.

 

Recently, I attended two months of Donna’s specialty: her abstract art classes. I attended – not because I like abstract art – but rather so that I would be able to discuss and possibly enter a discourse for what I don’t like about it. Well, at this point in life, I have eaten so many of my words, why not a few more.

The class offered a historical perspective of why artists started painting in abstract. Each week, Donna would have us create a piece based on the time in history that we had just studied. Instead of disliking the splotches and swirls, I found it to be a freeing art form. It sparked a delight of color and dimension that I have since incorporated into my art work. 

Reader, are you learning new skills in life? Have you taken up cooking, music, writing or some other activity that you are enjoying? Please share.

Debbie using VIA mobility for lifeLife will continue to challenge us with new experiences. It is our choice how we choose to define those experiences. Do we call them horrendous acts of fate that ruined our lives or do we see them as opportunities for growth, new things to learn and new ways to live our lives joyfully? Only we, individually, can decide. We define who we are. Over the years, some may have defined me as “that disabled old woman in the wheelchair.” As for me, I define myself as a lover of learning, a student of my faith, a builder of deeper relationships with my loved ones and a sharer of what I have to encourage others. A former state legislator, teacher and philanthropic friend to non-profits such as YWCA and the Girl Scouts, Pauline R. Kezer once said, “Continuity gives us roots. Change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow to new heights.”

As we conclude this first month’s blog, I hope you mark in your calendar to return around the 15th of each month to hear and become involved in these discussions. Thank you for our first month together as you visited “Dropping In with Debbie”.

Until next month, may peace be at your side,

Debbie Noel

 

We encourage you to interact with Debbie! 

Please email your responses to DroppingInWithDebbie@gmail.com or send your letters to:

Debbie Noel
C/o Longmont Senior Center
910 Longs Peak Avenue
Longmont, Colorado 80501