Cullman Senior Magazine Spring 2020 | Page 24

“I feel like I am more blessed by the seniors than I am able to bless them.” PA U L R O S S her tremendously as well when she was facing obstacles of her own. That is why she couldn’t stop delivering even after she had a horrific car accident that kept her in a Birmingham Hospital for several weeks. “This past year has been extremely challenging,” said Young. “Not only was I serious- ly injured in a car accident, but my son Greg also died a few months after of a heart attack and well, I was the one who found him dead. “ The tragedies of 2019, though, also taught her once again how short life really is Over 150 Wigs In Stock! Judy Watts Grissom [email protected] 256-347-5993 2201 2nd Ave. NW Cullman, AL 35058 24 | SPRING 2020 Chemo Caps Wigs & More! and to embrace each moment. “I have always loved my homebound seniors and so many of them have become like my own family,” she said. “I told myself after the accident, if I could, I would get back up and keep going, keep serving them. They are more to me than just a route; they all in many ways own a piece of my heart. Young, who also takes care of a handicap daughter, said she always aims to keep on going when others might think it is time to stop. “I love being able to develop relationships with these people and make memories I know that they as well as me will be able to cherish for a lifetime,” she said. “Plus, in so many ways, these men and women just make me feel ‘Young’ at heart. “Maybe it was God’s way of saying I needed to always give back, no matter what chal- lenges I might face with my own health or other on-going circumstances, because He was so gracious to give me a name that would always make me ‘Young.’” Young said that He also gave her the strength to bounce back from her car accident in April. It was one many imag- ined would probably take her off the volunteering circuit for at least a year or so. But Kristie McCarn, the Cull- man Senior Center manager, said it didn’t surprise her that Young was back to delivering to seniors with 100 percent ef- fort less than six months later. “This lady is absolutely amaz- ing, in every way,” she said. “As well is Paul, who is in his 90s and still giving the seniors 100 percent. We are blessed to have volunteers like them and would hope their stories would encourage more to get involved as well.” Both Pat and Paul have very active lifestyles outside of vol- unteering. While Paul enjoys skydiving and enjoying long walks as well as word puzzles, Pat enjoys traveling, staying ac- tive in her Sunday School class at West Side Baptist church, and just participating in a va- riety of community events. For more than 30 years, she worked at WalMart Distribution before retiring. If you would like to become a volunteer and deliver meals to the homebound seniors in Cullman County, please call Kristie McCarn at 256-734- 0145. CULLMAN COUNTY SENIOR MAGAZINE