Congratulations to NanaMarcie for being chosen as the featured Week 8 submission to the Fullest Life. NanaMarcie is enjoying her time being a mentor to young children.

NanaMarcie's Post:

My Posse

My life has always been full. I have been married to a wonderful guy for almost twenty-eight years. We have two successful children and three cute-as-buttons grandkids. We are both retired and living the life of leisure in Washington State after escaping the "rat-race" of Southern California.

We settled into a small new development called Knoll Heights on the north end of Vancouver, Washington. I have an aunt and uncle and several cousins here, which has been nice, but we knew no one when Peter and I decided to "head North".

There are twenty-eight new homes here, all built in 2005, that range from 2300 to 4500 square feet. We live in one of the only two one-story homes (and smallest) in the neighborhood. Interestedly, the other one story home is also owned by a retired couple. I guess us old folks don't like steps that much...

There is a brand new school down the street and the neighborhood, which is all on a "private" circle, is filled with children. Early on, after moving into the neighborhood, two of the young girls began stopping by to say hello when we drove into our driveway. Peter and I were friendly but also very cautious because we were "strangers" and did not want to alarm their parents. Little-by-little the girls and I got to be friendly and I would treat them to homemade cookies many times when they stopped by. But I would NOT allow them to enter the house.

One day after the first of this year, one of them asked me if I knitted using "the two sticks". I was surprised that they were aware of my crafting and asked how they knew. Irina, the older of the two, said "We can see your yarn closet from the front window." I laughed and explained that I didn't use the two sticks; that I used the new looms that are very popular. Both girls asked if I would teach them. I explained that I didn't know them but I would walk home with them and meet their parents and we would let them decide.

Much to my surprise, I discovered these two "All-American" girls were Russians from the Ukraine. They walked in their front door and began chatting in perfect Russian to their mother who speaks very little English. With the girls interpreting, it was decided we would have our first class the following Saturday. And that began the next stage in my life that has added a new "fuller" dimension.

The only downside was for our cat; he's not too thrilled with the interlopers who rush into the house and take over...he goes to his room and hides most days.

"My posse", as I call them, has grown to ten children - five girls and five boys; the youngest is four and the oldest is eleven. Two are the grandchildren of a Vietnamese political prisoner who spent many years in a "Hanoi Hilton". We meet most Saturdays and then they "drift" by in smaller groups throughout the week. I think they would come everyday if I let them. At this point, I'm not sure who's learning the most - them or me - and I also know that I enjoy these "lessons" as much as they do.

Here is a slide show I put together "My Posse" and me:



Aren't they adorable? They indeed make my life fuller...the cat, not so much.