BY MARY ESTHER KELLY

Fourteen years ago, I retired as a receptionist in the Family Practice Clinic of Swedish Hospital at the age of 61.

I knew I couldn’t just stay at home, so I sought out a volunteer position in my community.

Since we live in Arlington, I called Cascade Valley Hospital to see what volunteer jobs were available.

I was surprised to hear that a volunteer department didn’t even exist, but fortunately the hospital created a volunteer position for me in the surgery department.

I was privileged to work for Dr. R. Lee Harman, helping cataract patients prepare for surgery. I educated patients’ family members about the surgery and stayed with them to explain the procedure while they watched it live on closed-circuit TV.

When Harman moved into his own facility (Cascade Regional Eye &Surgery Center) he decided to hire me. I would no longer be a volunteer but a paid staff person helping people prepare for surgery.

I was delighted! I absolutely love my job and feel that what I do is unique to the eye surgery process. The opportunity to meet and greet all of the people is wonderful and rewarding.

Hopefully, I can help relieve some of the stress that goes along with the process of being able to see clearly again. I have a diagram of the eye, a bag of sample lens implants and other things to help explain what will be happening.

There are a lot of people who just need someone to talk to, and I focus on them by listening. That is one of the great benefits of the job. I love to do that and I also love to talk!

My husband has Alzheimer’s, and quite a few of our patients or family members are afflicted with the same terrible disease.

Since I have had so much experience dealing with this, it is rewarding to be able to share stories, sympathy, suggestions and understanding. It feels good just being there for them.

The rewards of my job are so many. Getting hugs from everyone when I walk the patients to their cars is wonderful. And it’s always fun to see them and recognize them on their return visits.

The other employees of the clinic are younger and regard me as either a substitute mother or grandmother. Everyone who works here has an upbeat, can do attitude, and that helps to create a friendly, positive environment.

I turned 75 years old on Sept. 2, and I’m thoroughly enjoying my "retirement!"

Mary Esther Kelly has three grown children and lives in Arlington. She credits her longevity to a positive attitude, good health care and not dwelling on aging.