We all become old, but we don’t often picture what our life are going to be like when we’re elderly. At 98, Mary Tony has lived a protracted life and may still walk on her own and has her health. But, as this touching video reveals, she often struggles with loneliness. Mary lives alone and doesn’t have the daily interactions with those that she would have during a retirement home or living along with her family.
The film crew, called Voyager, decided to follow Mary in her daily routine to realize some insight into what it’s like for somebody of her age to be on her own. For Mary to most difficult part of the day is to figure out the way to keep herself busy and occupied.
When the crew asks Mary how she feels about her living situation she responds, “I don’t mind. What am I getting to do? Where could I go? i’m alone.”
When she has hours to fill she says she picks up her spam mails. “You know what I do? Don’t laugh,” Mary says, “I get spam mails, I strip it. And after I strip it, I cut it up small, put it during a bag and put it for garbage.”
One place she likes to go, and which may be a lifeline to her, is that the senior center. There, she will meet and socialize with others, something she cherishes. So, when a visit was organized by the senior center to her home, she was overwhelmed. “I love you all for coming. It’s made my day and I’ll always remember this,” she says through tears.
This touching video goes to the very heart of growing old and the way important it’s to remain connected to elderly people. There are many Marys that might be grateful for a visit.