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Today (Wednesday) Velma invited me to visit her in her apartment. She lives in a retirement center smack in the middle of Detroit and is rightfully proud of it. When I got there at 2 p.m. she met me at the door and proceeded to take me on a tour of the building. It is absolutely beautiful and wonderfully designed for elders, especially those with mobility issues. Once we got to Velma's apartment she was kind enough to let me take photos and record our conversation on my new digital recorder. As I'd suspected, her story is fascinating. What I didn't expect was how much we have in common.

Velma Smith Bryant was born March 29, 1914, one year after my mother. The amazing thing was that they were both born in the same small town: Shelby, North Carolina! And then I found out that Velma and her husband owned a house and raised their three children in the same city where my husband Ed was raised: Highland Park, Michigan. Velma worked as a caterer her entire adult life, and her mother had been a teacher. Her father was a farmer who had horses, mules, pigs, turkeys and cows as well as fields of corn, cotton and peanuts. During Velma's growing-up years her mother would be off teaching five days a week in nearby communities. Her father stayed home with the five children, and the kids helped raise one another. Education was a priority and, although other farmers expected their children to stay home and help on the farm, Velma's Dad always said school was the most important thing. Velma continued this tradition in raising her own children and each one has been quite successful. Her eldest son was an engineer with Chrysler before he retired. Her daughter had her masters degree in social work and worked with children until she retired. Her youngest son has been a Detroit police officer for decades. She says she and her husband never had a moment's problems with their children. She is obviously proud of them and determined not to be a burden in any way.

I'd say Velma Bryant is one of the most positive persons I've ever met. It is such a privilege to know her. And I love sharing her with you.