NEW YEAR ’ S INSPIRATION
At 85 , Laura Jordan ’ s openness to life is blueprint for others to live by
Story by Monique Harrison Henderson Contributing Writer
Photos by Trenton Steele
Laura Jordan may be 85 , but do not be fooled .
Jordan can fire off a text message as quickly as the typical teenager – and odds are good she will follow up with a personalized emoji that looks strikingly like her , too . Her strong technology game is one way that she works to stay connected to others , while continuing to stay upbeat during difficult and perplexing times .
“ I think it ’ s important to always continue to learn ,” the retired Meridian Public School District first grade teacher and administrator said . “ You can ’ t just sit still , doing the same thing all the time . Continuing to learn is so important for people of all ages .”
Jordan ’ s life can best be explained in one word : open .
She has spent a lifetime being open to love through her foster care and adoption efforts . She also is open to serving others in a variety of roles , including through her church , her sorority , her hospital service and her role as a board member at Mississippi Action for Progress , which operates area HeadStart programs for preschoolers .
“ I just really don ’ t know how to say ‘ no ,’” Jordan said , laughing . “ Someone called the other day and asked me to help with a booklet they are creating . I couldn ’ t think of a reason to say no , so I said yes . It ’ s a chance to help someone else , so why not ?”
Jordan lost her husband , Lawrence – known to most as Larry – more than two decades ago . Before he passed , they had adopted two children , Miguel Jordan and Tenika Little . At the time Larry died , they had a foster child who was 17 .
That child , Stacey Thompson , says she has “ been part of the family ever since ” she arrived there as a junior in high school . “ I ’ m very grateful ,” Thompson said . “ She is just a Outfit courtesy of The Liberty Shop
6 • TIMELESS MERIDIAN