Southeast Seniors’ Service Coordinator, Moira, had the privilege in December of interviewing one of our clients, Frank, and his daughter Victoria.
We met in Frank’s kitchen over cups of coffee. Seated in a wheelchair, Frank wore his WWII Veteran cap and a bright smile. He shared highlights of his post-WWII life history from the time when he moved into his Prospect Park home, situated in the U of M’s shadow.
Moira: Hello there, Frank! Will you please share some highlights from your life here in
Southeast Minneapolis?
Frank: First you should know that I’m 97 years old. I’m Mexican American. I’m a veteran of the United States Army, serving for 3 years during the war. My wife and I had been married for 80 years before she passed away last year, and we raised 11 kids in this house!
Moira: Wowza! Please keep going, Frank!
Frank: This community is in flux; it has changed, and it will continue to change. When I moved to my house, it looked horrible, but it was cheap. I had to buy it contract-for-deed. I was a maintenance mechanic, so I knew how to fix my house but didn’t have money for the materials. A guy from the local hardware store stopped over and sized up the work I had to do. He offered me a line of credit so I was able to start on necessary repairs. What a good guy!
Moira: So you’ve had great neighbors?
Frank: Mostly. There was one time when my wife went to the store, and another lady said to her, “Why don’t you go back where you came from?” Ouch. But other community members rallied around us after that, they apologized for the woman, and invited us over for coffee. Their kids played with ours, and they got fed the best beans and tortillas because my wife was a good cook.
Moira: I’m grateful to hear all of that. What else can you share with us?
Frank: So, three values that my wife and I taught to our kids were: 1) “Treat others like you want to be treated," 2) “You don’t have to study to be a dummy," and 3) “Whatever comes around, goes around." You also have to know that I’ve worked all of my life…all kinds of work. I’ve driven trucks, helped to maintain buildings of all sorts (hospitals, churches, the old gas co. in Minneapolis, etc.). Early on, once, when I was climbing up some scaffolding for a job, the guy in charge gave me the advice, “Don’t look down, look up.” Good advice for life in general! But also he was climbing up below me.
Moira: Ha ha, oh my goodness!
Frank: With people in and out of the union trusting me, I got to be involved in labor laws
changing. One time a guy was really sick, and his wife filled in so he could keep his job. She got his pay. So, I was there when we started saying that women should be allowed to join the union, and they should be able to earn pensions. I feel proud of these accomplishments.
Moira: I feel humbled and thankful for what you helped make possible for others, Frank.
Refocusing on the present…now you are getting some help from others, including Southeast Seniors. Will you please describe some of the help you get from our organization?
Victoria (Frank’s daughter): I help my dad all day long, but I can’t do it all. He needs a lot more help, especially since his last two falls. In recent years, Southeast Seniors has matched us with a volunteer Snow Angel. Tyler is helping this year; he keeps the wheelchair ramp free of snow for us so that I can get my dad out, mostly to doctor appointments. The volunteers also do spring cleanup for us, plus fall raking. You help with connecting us to resources like home repair opportunities. The holiday music that you all put on in December was really fun, too! Dad especially liked the old-time music.
Moira: We sure appreciate that Southeast Seniors can make a meaningful difference for your family, Frank and Vicky! Frank, do you have any last thoughts to share with your neighbors?
Frank: “Life is what it is.” Sometimes things are going good, sometimes they are going bad. But offering a helping hand your neighbors is always good! My wife and I used to feed a neighbor kid whose family didn’t have any food in their fridge. Now, my neighbors are doing nice things for me. Victoria and I really appreciate Southeast Seniors!
Frank's home, nestled behind the university campus just east of the Mississippi river, Minneapolis MN.
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