"When we retired and moved to Mountain View, Arkansas, my husband suggested I take up painting, so we found a beginning art teacher, and I went to the shop and bought my supplies. My husband asked, 'Well, do you think you can learn this?' I told him, 'I don't have any choice now; I just spent ninety-two dollars!' That's how I got started, and I've been painting ever since, from the time I was 65 till just recently, and I'm 91 years old. I sign the canvases 'Mama Whit' because that's what our foster children always called me. I wasn't born with a talent for art, but I think a person can learn anything if they have enough time and patience. I want to learn to play the organ next, and I'll get started on it one of these days, but right now I don't have time. I'm just too busy. There's no point sitting around doing nothing and waiting to get old. Age is going to catch up with you, but you need to do what you can when you can for as long as you can.
"My doctor used to tell me every year, 'You're doing fine for your age.' Said the same thing every time, and I got so tired of hearing that. Finally I told him, 'I'm doing fine for ANY age!' And I am. The only thing is, I can't see very well now, so I've had to stop painting and driving. It's all right though. I've always heard it said that you can get used to anything except a toothache and a tack in your shoe, so I've gotten used to not having a car anymore. When I told my friend Lois that the doctor had clipped my wings and wouldn't let me drive, she said, 'You picked me up for eight years. I'll do it for you now.' So even though I don't have a car, I have friends and I'm still going out and doing things.
"When I found out I was getting older, I decided to move to Independent Living. Everybody's friendly here, just like every place I've ever lived. I enjoy my life. I do. I've got a little cross-stitch in my kitchen that says: You don't quit laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you quit laughing."
"My doctor used to tell me every year, 'You're doing fine for your age.' Said the same thing every time, and I got so tired of hearing that. Finally I told him, 'I'm doing fine for ANY age!' And I am. The only thing is, I can't see very well now, so I've had to stop painting and driving. It's all right though. I've always heard it said that you can get used to anything except a toothache and a tack in your shoe, so I've gotten used to not having a car anymore. When I told my friend Lois that the doctor had clipped my wings and wouldn't let me drive, she said, 'You picked me up for eight years. I'll do it for you now.' So even though I don't have a car, I have friends and I'm still going out and doing things.
"When I found out I was getting older, I decided to move to Independent Living. Everybody's friendly here, just like every place I've ever lived. I enjoy my life. I do. I've got a little cross-stitch in my kitchen that says: You don't quit laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you quit laughing."
Lucille Whitworth, artist
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