loving person – an angel . She opened her heart and home to me . It ’ s remarkable , the love she has for others .”
When her husband passed away , Jordan said she didn ’ t plan to take in any more foster children . But then she learned about an infant who was born premature and whose mother died . She ended up taking that child in and adopted her when she was 2 . That child , Jasmine , is now 21 and a college junior . Jordan said she is quick to fall in love with children and teens , and that she recognizes how important it is for them to have adults who are interested in them .
“ There are so many children who really need someone to care . I had people who took an interest in me – who encouraged me to work and be my best , so I could make a difference in this world and have a life that I enjoyed ,” she said . “ Because I had that , I know how important it can be .”
About five years ago , she found herself – then 80 – white water rafting in Tennessee with a group of young people from her church .
Jordan also describes herself as open to connecting with others and building friendships . During the pandemic , she has made a point of calling two to three people every day , just to check on them and to hear how they are doing .
“ Friends are important ,” she said , adding that one of her friends has been in her life since the 1950s and other friends are newer . “ I just love people and I love getting to know more about other people – hearing about how they are doing and what they are doing . Even the small things are interesting to me , I think .”
Avoiding negative habits
Still , Jordan also will nudge a friend to change course if she thinks they are developing negative habits . Lately , she said she has found herself encouraging her friends to step away from around the clock news programming , as well as social media .
Jordan is on Facebook , but she says she limits how much time she spends there . She said that she also watches CNN , but turns it off once she finds herself hearing the same information presented repeatedly .
“ You can spend too much time on either one ,” she said . “ And that ’ s not good . There are other things to do – things like getting out in the yard in the sunshine or reading interesting books – things like that .”
Jordan recently finished Mary Trump ’ s book about her uncle , outgoing President Donald Trump . She also is excited to start reading President Obama ’ s new book soon . She subscribes to several magazines , and regularly reads Southern Living and Time .
She enjoys cooking , and the Saturday of this interview she was preparing to make caramel cakes for her children for Thanksgiving . She also was making sweet potato pies to share .
“ I like to cook ,” she said . “ I have my favorite recipes but then I like to look at Southern Living and other magazines to get ideas for new things . I think it ’ s important to try new things in the kitchen , too .”
Jordan is determined to keep learning in other areas , too . Right now , she is working hard to teach herself to play the piano , using online resources .
Service before and during the pandemic
“ When I retired , I knew I couldn ’ t just not work – not do anything . I tell my friends that they need to make sure they are moving and doing . Even now , with COVID , they need to make a list of things they would like to do at home – things they want to read or learn or do , and they need to do them . You always need to have projects and goals . I ’ m continuing to live that .”
Laura Jordan , who has adopted and been a foster mom to several children .
The pandemic has forced Jordan to change her volunteer activities – including volunteering at Anderson Regional Medical Center . Before the spring , she volunteered regularly at the front
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