I closed my Overland Park women's clothing store, Suzee's Fashions, in 2005. After 53 years of assisting thousands of Johnson County women in my store, I believed it was time for a rest. Time for the freedom to go places and do whatever I chose.

I took a genealogy trip to Germany and then played with genealogy on my computer for several months. I joined my Valley View Optimist Club once a week for lunch and took part in the club's activities. I went to meetings of a couple of historical organizations. It wasn't enough.

My grown children lead busy lives and my grandchildren live in Virginia. I was no longer needed as a mother or a grandmother, or in the business world. My husband was still working and, although our two golden retrievers were delighted to have "Mama" home, I became bored and boring. I needed to be needed.

An Optimist Club member got me involved in delivering for Shawnee Mission Meals on Wheels. I enlisted a couple of friends to ride with me, and we enjoyed our weekly gab fest as we delivered meals. Our customers quickly became important to us, and we looked forward to this fulfilling job. The job, however, only involved one day a week.

When my Optimist buddy mentioned a show at the New Theatre, I was all for it. At one time I had held season tickets and enjoyed the shows there. She knew about the Johnson County Community College Brown & Gold Club and the matinee tickets it offered for each new show, so we sent in our money.

That is what hooked me into joining Brown & Gold, and after I paid my $10, started receiving the club newsletter, and saw all the possibilities for trips, programs, and travel, I was dumbfounded that I hadn't known about this club and all the great opportunities it offered. After all, I have lived in Johnson County since 1952. My friend, a recent widow, and I began availing ourselves of the entertainment opportunities and trips that Brown & Gold offered. My husband does not travel well or enjoy shows and he would seldom accompany us, so it was great, safe entertainment for two senior ladies who liked to go places and do things.

When the Brown & Gold newsletter ran ads for board members, I responded, and I found a group of people who work hard making plans for the edification and enjoyment of the club's almost 5,000 members. I have played roles with the programs, trips, membership, and community outreach committees. This past year, the executive office of publicity liaison was created, and it is one I have enjoyed immensely.
During my years in business, I was active in and president of the Downtown Overland Park Business Association and served on the Downtown Development Review Board, so it was natural for me to sign up as a charter member of the Overland Park Historical Society when it was formed many years ago. I am active on the board of the society and have been working to establish a history museum and learning center for Overland Park.

For three years I have volunteered for the spring session with the City of Fountains Chorus. This Sweet Adelines International singing group supplements its beautiful, harmonious voices with some of us ordinary voices for its annual program at Atonement Lutheran Church on Metcalf Avenue every June.

For three of the last five years I also worked part-time at the Macy's store at Metcalf South. My great boss scheduled my hours so they didn't interfere with my volunteer jobs.
There are very few times when I say no to a volunteer opportunity—and I find that my aches and pains are much improved when I'm out doing something and meeting with people. It's a joy to hear thank-you from someone you have helped, and you do meet the nicest people who are volunteering.

The only thing I will absolutely refuse to do voluntarily is to go six feet under.